Hearing held for Mesac Damas’ death row appeal

A man who murdered his wife and five children and then fled the country is going through a hearing to see if he can move forward with his appeal.

Mesac Damas has sat on death row since he was given the punishment in 2017.

During the hearing, Damas sat in silence with his head down.

The 2009 killing was considered the worst mass murder in Collier County history. He killed his wife Guerline Damas and children Meshach, Marven, Maven, Megan and Morgan.

The defense is trying to prove that Damas was not competent when he pleaded guilty.

The defense is challenging Mesac Damas’ competency after he waived the right to a jury trial for the death penalty.

A judge, not a jury, ordered the death sentence.

Years later, Damas’ attorneys Scott Gavin and Renee Dadowski are questioning the expert witnesses that labeled Damas competent.

Licensed psychologist Julie Harper told the court she found Damas fully competent.

“It was that Mr. Damas has some type of difference in his brain and I did not find that that was currently a reason for incompetence,” Harper said. “I did consider it and gave it weight, then found that it did not impair his competence at this time.”

The state asked questions about Damas’ competence to proceed to which Harper said he should be considered able.

The defense argues that Damas’ diagnosis of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia should be considered.

Depending on the outcome of the hearing, there is a tentatively scheduled post-conviction date the week after next.