ALAMOSA — After receiving the results of the court-ordered psychological evaluation of Adre Baroz conducted by the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo (CMHIP), defense attorney David Lipka has filed a motion to allow the defense to hire their own expert to conduct a separate, second psychological evaluation.

Baroz has been accused of committing five counts of first-degree murder and other felonies in the deaths of Karina Arroyo, Selena Esquibel, Shayla Hammell, Myron Martinez and Xavier Garcia. Law enforcement found the victims’ remains in burn pits on property in Los Sauces in Conejos County in November of 2020. 

On April 29, 2022, Baroz entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, prompting District Judge Michael Gonzales to order a psychological evaluation be conducted by the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo (CMHIP). 

After a delay, the report from CMHIP was submitted to the court. Issues related to confidentiality require the results to be sealed and unavailable to the public.

Lipka, who told the judge his team has already taken initial steps to hire the expert, informed the court that they expect the process to take four months. 

Co-defendants in the case, Julius Baroz — Adre’s brother — and Franciso Ramirez, also appeared virtually from the facilities where they are being held. But due to a miscommunication, Adre Baroz did not appear online from the Arapaho County Jail where he is jailed. 

Gonzales delayed the hearing but, upon learning that the Arapaho jail said they need a week’s notice to make an inmate available online, proceeded.

The next status conference in the case is scheduled for March 30 at 1:15 p.m.