A man held in jail pending trial on a 2021 homicide has sought his release or transfer to Post 7 of the Adult Correctional Facility in Mangilao, which is dedicated to mental health services.
Akmal Khozhiev has been held at the Department of Corrections’ Mangilao prison on a $1,000,000 bail since being charged in connection to the death of Dr. Miran Ribati, a Guam Memorial Hospital radiologist. Post files show the past five years have involved attempts to determine whether Khozhiev is competent to stand trial or to understand the proceedings after he pleaded not guilty to murder charges by reason of mental illness.
On Tuesday Khozhiev appeared before Superior Court of Guam Judge Maria Cenzon with lawyer Ana Gayle, the managing attorney for the Alternate Public Defender, who made a motion for Khozhiev to be released from jail on electronic monitoring. She added that in the event the Cenzon denied the release, Gayle sought to have Khozhiev moved to Post 7 of DOC’s Adult Correctional Facility in Mangilao, which is overseen by the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center, or GBHWC.
“Mr. Khozhiev is actually requesting to go there (Post 7). … He’s lost a lot of weight. I’m worried his mental status is going down because he’s not in Post 7,” Gayle said as Khozhiev appeared from DOC via Zoom.
Cenzon confirmed Khozhiev’s bail hearing was scheduled for later this month, so that could mean he is released from confinement. But meanwhile, Cenzon added she will order GBHWC to conduct a report on Khozhiev’s condition and a recommendation on whether he should be transferred. The report will be filed under seal so it will not be available to the public.
Khozhiev’s motion for release will be held on June 24 before Magistrate Judge Jonathan Quan.
As for the status of Khozhiev’s case, Gayle shared the psychologist hired to give a second opinion on Khozhiev’s mental state in relation to his prosecution was in the process of filing a report. According to Post files, Khozhiev’s first evaluation resulted in him being found fit to stand trial.
Khozhiev was charged in connection to Ribati’s death on Nov. 7, 2021. Charging documents allege Khozhiev, a mixed martial arts fighter, was accused of arguing with Ribati at the Poinciana Apartments before Khozhiev wrapped both arms around Ribati’s neck and choked him.
Khozhiev allegedly stabbed Ribati with an animal bone before using a knife, court documents state.
When officers with the Guam Police Department arrived, Khozhiev was covered in blood and allegedly admitted to the slaying before being arrested, charging documents state.