Suspect in fatal McDonald's stabbing arraigned

A judge ordered a mental health evaluation at the arraignment of the man accused of fatally stabbing a McDonald's manager in Kingsbridge. Rafael Gonzalez, 41, faces charges of second-degree murder

News 12 Staff

Jan 8, 2016, 4:31 AM

Updated 3,165 days ago

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A judge ordered a mental health evaluation at the arraignment of the man accused of fatally stabbing a McDonald's manager in Kingsbridge.
Rafael Gonzalez, 41, faces charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter.
Police say he is responsible for fatally stabbing 28-year-old Adam Garcia outside the West 236th Street and Broadway fast food restaurant Monday.
During the arraignment, Gonzalez repeatedly interrupted the judge. He said that he wanted to fire his court-appointed lawyer, who requested the mental health evaluation. He also attempted to make a confession.
Gonzalez had walked into the 50th Precinct Wednesday with a lawyer and surrendered to police.
Police say Gonzalez had been sitting in the 24-hour McDonald's for hours when Garcia was preparing to end his shift around 4 a.m.
Garcia then asked the man to leave, and the two walked out together, according to police. That's when witnesses say they saw them get into an argument that ended with Garcia stabbed in the chest and back.
Police say Garcia managed to move himself back inside the restaurant, where employees called for help. He later died in the hospital.
Garcia's funeral was held Thursday evening in Manhattan, with a burial following Friday in the Bronx. He is survived by a wife and two children, aged 1 and 5.
Gonzalez will undergo the mental health evaluation before his next court appearance on Feb. 5. He is being held without bail.