Rally held to honor man who died after being attacked outside his Trump-themed home

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. (NBC, KYMA) - The attorney for the man accused of attacking an elderly Army Veteran in front of his Trump-themed San Diego area home says his client may not be mentally competent.

32-year-old Thomas Caleb Butler missed his last two scheduled court appearances after the district attorney's office filed an amended complaint, charging butler with murder.

Investigators say Butler was seen on surveillance video last month, attacking 69-year-old Kerry Sheron and a bystander.

Sheron died in the hospital days later, and a rally was held in his honor.

The intersection of Pomerado and Twin Peaks Road has seen many rallies over the last six years, but never for something like this.

"I like the support and everything, but I want my life back," said Maria Garcia, Sheron's wife.

Garcia is grieving the loss of her husband following an attack outside their Escondido home on May 20.

Garcia's friends and other members of the community brought flags, banners and posters and stood at all four corners of the intersection to honor Sheron's memory.

"All the people demonstrations and love to him because he was a good guy...[He] survived cancer," Garcia shared.

Attending these weekly rallies is also how Sheron and his wife met friends like Amy Le, who's been with Garcia nearly ever step of the way since Sheron's death.

"We became friends from rallying together and we reach out to one another, support another. It's unfortunate what happened to Kerry, it's really sad and we just hope that justice can be served for Kerry," Le shared.

Garcia says through her grief, she's also looking back fondly at the memories she shared with her husband over the years.

"I want to appreciate everything for my husband because he don't deserve to die like that," Garcia expressed.

While no evidence has been presented in court so far, Garcia and Le believe Sheron was targeted for his political beliefs.

"We can agree to disagree on things, but it doesn't have to come to the point to take somebody's life," Garcia remarked.

The couple's home is decorated with several American flags and banners supporting President Donald Trump.

The Escondido Police Department (EPD) says an alleged motive for the attack remains under investigation, including whether there may have been a "political component."

At this point in the investigation, EPD says there is no evidence to support that.

Butler is scheduled to appear in court in mid-July, and will undergo an evaluation by a court-appointed doctor.

If he is deemed mentally competent to answer to charges, he will be arraigned. If not, another hearing will be scheduled for a later date.

But, if this case eventually goes to trial and Butler is convicted, he faces up to 28 years to life in state prison.