VIRGINIA — A mental health evaluation was ordered Monday for an Iron Range man accused of killing an elderly Babbitt couple.
The order suspends criminal proceedings against Roger Allen Beldo, 54, just five days after he was
charged with two counts of intentional second-degree murder
in the Oct. 28 deaths of Clifford Johnson, 78, and Christine Johnson, 79.
Authorities said Beldo was previously homeless before he was taken in by the Johnsons about a month before their killings.
He allegedly admitted several times to using a tire iron and hammer to fatally bludgeon the couple at their home before driving the victims’ car to Duluth and asking to be jailed.
A criminal complaint said Beldo appeared intoxicated while speaking with an officer late that night and he had apparent blood stains on his clothing. He called 911 from outside the emergency room at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center and still had the keys to the car, but the vehicle was later found near 23rd Avenue West and First Street in Duluth.
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After initially being cryptic with officers, Beldo allegedly admitted to killing his two roommates and said they would be found at 38 Fir Circle in Babbitt, adding “mother on the bed” and “father in the garage.”
Babbitt police were dispatched to that address and found the victims as Beldo described. Both were pronounced dead from significant head trauma, and a crowbar and hammer were recovered at the scene, the complaint states.
In a formal interview under Miranda warning, Beldo allegedly claimed the Johnsons were stealing his food stamps and wanted his Section 8 housing voucher.
Beldo, who has a lengthy criminal history and served a 13-month prison term for felony domestic violence and auto theft convictions, also told police he suffers from mental health issues, according to St. Louis County prosecutor Amber Pederson.
Under Monday’s order from Judge Michelle Anderson, a court-appointed psychologist will be tasked with examining Beldo and determining whether he is capable of understanding the criminal proceedings and participating in his own defense.
If he is found incompetent, the case would remain on hold until treatment professionals and the court determine he is restored to competency.
Anderson scheduled a Dec. 26 hearing to review the evaluation. Beldo remains in the St. Louis County Jail on $1 million bail.
Tom Olsen covers crime and courts and the 8th Congressional District for the Duluth News Tribune since 2013. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth and a lifelong resident of the city. Readers can contact Olsen at 218-723-5333 or [email protected].