Man involved in wife’s death committed to state mental institution

Roberto Comer Ortega, who stabbed his wife to death during a domestic violence dispute nearly two years ago, will be committed to a state mental institute for life, a judge ordered Thursday.

According to Judge Roger A. Nelson, Ortega will spend life at a mental health facility for his 2016 actions in his wife’s death. If Ortega is found no longer in need of mental care, he will be transferred to a correctional facility.

Ortega was represented by attorney Jerry Hernandez of the Yuma County Public Defender’s Office.

Hernandez said the court’s decision was the right solution.

Ortega had originally been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated assault on a peace officer and aggravated assault on a peace officer-attempt to control firearm and resisting arrest. These charges came after police responded to his home on August 27, 2016, to investigate the stabbing death of his wife.

Officers were dispatched to his home that night after responding to a 911 call in regards to a domestic dispute at his home. When police officers arrived they found 36-year-old Lanika Ortega lying in the driveway.