LA GRANDE — Union County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Powers ruled on Friday, Aug. 18, that a La Grande man arrested in connection with a 2022 murder is now fit to proceed with trial after receiving restorative services at Oregon State Hospital.

Mamas Genagritis faces a second-degree murder charge in the May 2022 slaying of his girlfriend, Deanna Badgley, at the couple’s Robbs Hill Road home. Genagritis appeared at the hearing by video from the Union County Jail where, according to Powers, he is being held without bail due to the charge of murder.

Prior to the hearing the court reviewed the most recent forensic examination report from the state hospital in Salem. Genagritis was sent to the state hospital for evaluation in August 2022 after it was determined he was a danger to himself or others because of a mental disorder and that he required hospital care due to the dangerousness and the acuity of symptoms of the disorder, according to court documents.

After undergoing restorative services at the state hospital for a year, an evaluator found Genagritis fit to proceed and able to aid and assist in his own defense. He is represented by court-appointed counsel, La Grande attorney James Schaeffer.

Powers said the evaluation recommended expediting legal proceedings due to Genagritis’ history of compliance and noncompliance with medication. He is scheduled to next appear in court on Sept. 1, to enter a plea.

During legal proceedings Genagritis has communicated through an approved Greek language interpreter. However, while reviewing the state hospital evaluation Powers noted that Genagritis indicated that English was his preferred language. Given the recommendation to expedite legal proceedings, Powers suggested that for proceedings that are more procedural than substantive a translator may not be needed.

However, he added that if Schaeffer requests interpretive services those will be provided.

Powers adopted the findings of the state hospital evaluation and report. Neither Genagritis’ attorney nor District Attorney Kelsie McDaniel requested a second opinion on the findings.

Across multiple court appearances Genagritis has spoken out of turn — either speaking over or interrupting others in the courtroom to say things like “I am sick” or to speak about different ailments he was allegedly experiencing at the time.

During his fitness to proceed hearing on Aug. 17, Genagritis spoke of stomach pain. Due to time constraints the hearing was set over to Aug. 18, when he talked about having inflammation. Powers advised Genagritis that he could discuss these matters with his attorney and jail staff.

On May 23, 2022, around 7:30 p.m., according to a probable cause declaration, Genagritis called Union County Sheriff Cody Bowen asking for help and stating he had killed Badgley.

When police arrived at the home, Genagritis met officers in the driveway yelling, “Help me. I killed her, I hit her with (a) hammer,” according to the declaration.

Police took Genagritis into custody without incident, and officers observed blood on his hands and clothes. Officers then found Badgley’s body inside the home with multiple wounds. Police stated it appeared she had been dragged from a bedroom into the kitchen area of the home. Police located a “blood coated hatchet” at the residence, according to the probable cause declaration.