A judge last month dismissed the murder case against a 68-year-old Camas woman accused of fatally shooting her husband, after the judge found her mental state had deteriorated beyond treatment.
Beverly Ann Tafolla was charged in Clark County Superior Court with second-degree domestic violence murder in the April 27, 2023, shooting death of 68-year-old Robert Tafolla at their Camas home.
During a March 21 hearing, a state psychiatrist testified about his evaluation of Beverly Tafolla’s mental state. His report stated he found she suffers from depression and possibly multiple neurocognitive disorders.
Prosecutors asked Judge John Fairgrieve to order Beverly Tafolla to undergo a third round of competency restoration treatment, but the judge declined, court records show.
Instead, Fairgrieve issued an order finding that her neurocognitive issues are not reversible. Because she is subject to court-supervised guardianship in a civil case and she’s unable to care for herself, she does not appear to be a danger to others, the order states.
The judge dismissed the case and ordered she be evaluated, out of custody, as soon as possible to potentially be civilly committed to the state psychiatric hospital, court records state.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Brian McVay called 911 about 6:40 a.m. to report his mother had shot her husband at their house north of Camas. Clark County sheriff’s deputies responded and found Robert Tafolla dead on the bedroom floor. There was a large amount of blood on his clothes and on the floor under his body.
Investigators with the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office determined he was shot multiple times, including in his back, arm and knee. Detectives said evidence indicated he was on the floor when at least one shot was fired, the affidavit states.
Deputies located a Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolver on the bed, next to the body. Five cartridges had been discharged, and the sixth chamber was empty, according to court records.
Shortly before 6 a.m., McVay looked at his phone and saw a missed call from his mother at 2:33 a.m., he told deputies. He sent her a text asking if she was OK, and she responded, “No, I need you to help me. He told me that they were coming to get me. I shot him. Can you come help?” the affidavit states. He said his mother had been worried for the last few days that Robert Tafolla would have her arrested for an alleged prior assault.
McVay drove to the house, found his stepfather dead and called 911. He and his mother waited in the living room until deputies arrived.
McVay shared concerns about his mother having dementia, but investigators said there was no evidence of a diagnosis or treatment, the affidavit states.
