A competency hearing began Friday for a man accused of killing his mother, one of the owners of South Florida’s famous Knaus Berry Farm.
Travis Ray Grafe, 43, faces murder and other charges for the Feb. 17, 2023 attack on his parents, Rachel Knaus Grafe and Herbert Grafe, at their home in southwest Miami-Dade.
Police said Rachel Knaus Grafe was found unconscious in a pool of her own blood and later died from her injuries. Herbert Grafe was hospitalized with head injuries. Grafe is awaiting trial, but at Friday’s hearing, attorneys focused on his competency to stand trial.
Records show Grafe suffered a brain injury more than three decades ago, and some doctors believe he’s not competent to proceed.
“Mr. Grafe’s impulsivity, inability to stay on task for extended periods of time, decision-making and judgment errors are all consequences of his brain injury. My opinion and suggestion to the court following my January assessment was that Mr. Grafe was incompetent to proceed,” said Dr. Ralph Richardson.
It also emerged Friday that the same injury once led a judge to appoint his mother as his legal guardian. Court records show the guardianship was granted because Grafe suffered substantial brain damage as a result of injuries to the head resulting in impaired judgment, lack of impulse control, and mental disorder resulting from head trauma.
According to an arrest report, Grafe admitted to investigators that he beat his mother because she was his legal guardian and he no longer wanted her in that role. Another witness told investigators he overheard Grafe threaten his father, saying he had killed his mother and wanted money or would kill him too.
Grafe has pleaded not guilty and remains behind bars without bond. Other doctors are set to testify at the competency hearing, and the judge will ultimately decide if Grafe is fit to stand trial.
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