STATE POLICE CHARGE PATIENT WITH MURDER AT STATE HOSPITAL

(JESSUP, MD) -- Maryland State Police have charged a state hospital patient in connection with the murder of a fellow patient at the hospital last night.  

The victim is identified as Rogelio Mondragon, 40, who was a patient at the Clifton T. Perkins Hospital, in Jessup, Md.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.  His body has been taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy.

The accused is identified as Andre Mayo, 46, who is also a patient at the hospital.  After consultation with the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office, Maryland State Police homicide investigators have charged Mayo with first and second degree murder.  He was taken to the Howard County Detention Center for his initial appearance before a court commissioner.  

Shortly before 7:30 p.m. yesterday, Maryland State Police at the Waterloo Barrack were requested to respond to the Clifton T. Perkins Hospital by staff.  Responding troopers secured the area where the victim was found.  Troopers noted there was evidence on the victim’s hands and face that indicated he may have been in a fight. They requested that investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit respond to investigate further.    

The preliminary investigation by the State Police Homicide Unit indicates that shortly after 6:30 p.m. yesterday, hospital staff were conducting their regular rounds to check on patients.  They found the victim lying unresponsive on the floor of his room.  Immediate emergency care was provided by hospital staff and Howard County emergency medical services were requested through 911.  Paramedics responded to the scene, but the victim was unable to be resuscitated and was pronounced dead.  

While hospital staff were subsequently moving patients off the floor for the investigation, the accused approached a security staff member and provided information to the staff member about the assault on the victim.  During a review of video surveillance from the floor where the incident occurred, investigators saw the accused enter the victim’s room on two occasions within a half hour.  The victim was alone in the room both times Mayo is observed entering.  

State Police investigators from the Homicide Unit and the Waterloo Barrack were at the hospital throughout the night conducting interviews and reviewing evidence.  Maryland State Police crime scene technicians responded and processed the scene and collected evidence.  

A motive for the homicide has not been clearly established at this time.  Investigators hope to learn more about the victim’s cause and manner of death following the autopsy.  The investigation is continuing.