Austin Suspect with Extensive Criminal History Charged with Murder Aboard CapMetro Bus

The fatal stabbing of Akshay Gupta aboard a CapMetro bus last Wednesday has brought the suspect's extensive and troubled run-ins with law enforcement into the spotlight. Deepak Kandel, who has reportedly admitted to the stabbing, is a figure familiar to the legal system, with records from Travis County indicating a litany of arrests dating back to 2016, according to KXAN. Kandel, who is currently homeless, now faces a murder charge for the unprovoked attack.

Kandel's repeated brushes with law enforcement and occasional mental health evaluations have provoked criticism from the Austin Police Association (APA) over the prosecutorial handling of his past offenses. "We put in the work, we go out there, we try to hold people accountable, and then prosecutors do absolutely nothing," APA President Michael Bullock expressed in a statement obtained by CBS Austin.

The frustration also extends to the Texas Municipal Police Association, which blamed soft-on-crime policies for contributing to such incidents. However, Travis County Attorney Delia Garza pointed out the complexity of legal challenges when dealing with individuals suffering from mental illness, noting it's "unconstitutional" to prosecute those declared mentally incompetent, as mentioned in the same CBS Austin report.

The case has also shed light on broader institutional challenges, including the insufficiency of mental health services and the constraints of medical privacy laws. The District Attorney’s Office communicated their sympathy for the victim's family through a statement to KXAN, while also acknowledging their commitment to "prosecute this case to the extent allowed by Texas law."

It was through KXAN that a close friend of Akshay Gupta, Noopur Gupta, shared her memories of him, highlighting his generosity and ingenuity as a co-founder of a health-tech startup designed to assist senior citizens. As the legal proceedings against Kandel are set to unfold, the community continues to grapple with the tragic loss of Gupta, remembered by Noopur for his "giving heart."

Kandel, whose bond has been set at \$500,000, is ordered to remain under mental health supervision as he awaits his first scheduled court appearance on June 12, as per the information obtained by CBS Austin.