Accused Temecula Murderer Ordered To Jail-Based Competency Treatment

TEMECULA, CA — This week, an accused murderer declared incompetent to stand trial for killing a Temecula man was ordered into a Jail-Based Competency Treatment Program, according to court records. There, he will receive mental health care until his competency can be proven, according to court records.

Alex Leyva, now 40, is accused of murdering George Fresquez IV, of Temecula, near the Pechanga Resort Casino. If Leyva's competency is later proved, he could return to court on murder charges, according to the ruling. At the moment, Leyva remains at the Robert Presley Detention Center, where he has been held since Sept. 7, 2025.

Leyva was examined by a psychiatrist in early February and found "not competent to understand the charges against him and assist in his defence," according to court records obtained by the Press Enterprise. On March 2, Superior Court Judge John D. Molloy ordered Leyva to the Jail-Based Competency Treatment Program, where he will remain for up to two years, according to the Judge's order. He will receive more intensive treatment than at a state mental hospital.

On the night of Sept. 6, 2025, Leyva was involved in a dispute with Fresquez, 35, at the intersection of Pechanga Parkway and Wolf Valley Road, less than a block from the Pechanga Resort Casino main entrance, according to Sgt. Mike Kelleher of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

"During the confrontation, Fresquez was knocked out and was left lying in the southbound lanes of Pechanga Parkway," Kelleher said. "After the assault occurred, the victim was struck by a passing vehicle."

The driver, heading southbound on Pechanga at Wolf Valley Road, did not see Fresquez in time to stop, according to the sergeant.

A patrol deputy spotted Fresquez while driving through the intersection and immediately stopped to attempt CPR. Kelleher said county fire paramedics arrived minutes later and took over the resuscitative measures, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

"The driver was transported to the Southwest Sheriff's Station to speak with investigators. The driver was cooperative with the investigation and was later released," Kelleher said. "Alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the collision.

Central Homicide Unit detectives assumed the investigation, and hours later, identified Leyva as the alleged assailant. The details of the investigation remain under wraps. The suspect was taken into custody without incident at 9 a.m. Sunday, near the intersection of Pechanga and Temecula parkways, three miles from where the alleged attack occurred.