A man accused of killing three tourists in Kissimmee is alleged to have exaggerated or fabricated psychiatric symptoms in an attempt to avoid prosecution, according to court-appointed psychiatrists.
Ahmad Jihad Bojeh appeared in court on Wednesday, 9 September, as newly released evaluations concluded that he was competent to stand trial on three first-degree murder charges.
At least two psychiatrists appointed by the court reportedly found that Bojeh was overstating his mental-health difficulties. One evaluator said he appeared to be trying to present himself as incompetent, despite claiming to hear voices.
The psychiatrist nevertheless concluded that Bojeh understood the proceedings and was capable of taking part in his defence.
Competency hearing scheduled in Kissimmee murder case
Judge Wayne Wooten rejected a request to keep the psychiatric assessments sealed, saying the public had a strong interest in understanding how competency proceedings work.
“I think there’s a great public interest in understanding how the competency process works,” he said.
A formal competency hearing was scheduled for 10am on Thursday, 10 September, when the court is expected to decide whether Bojeh is legally fit to stand trial.
Bojeh was previously found not guilty by reason of insanity in an unrelated attempted murder case in 2021.
He is accused of killing brothers Robert Luis Kraft, 69, of Holland, Michigan, and Douglas Joseph Kraft, 68, along with their friend James Puchan, 68, in January.
The three men had travelled to the Kissimmee area for a car show and were staying in a rented property when they were shot. Their families said they had been visiting from out of state.
The Osceola County Sheriff described the killings as premeditated and “cold-blooded”. Bojeh was later indicted by a grand jury on three counts of first-degree murder.
His previous case stemmed from a 2021 arrest by the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office on allegations including attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery involving a victim’s car and two counts of criminal mischief.
He was ultimately acquitted by reason of insanity in that case. The current proceedings will determine whether he can now be tried over the deaths of the three tourists.
