Xavier Guadarrama

MAYVILLE – Jury selection is underway for a trial of a Jamestown man who is accused of attempting to kill a librarian.

Xavier Guadarrama, 23, has been charged with second-degree attempted murder, two counts of second-degree assault, and two counts of second-degree attempted assault.

On Aug. 23, 2022, Guadarrama took a bus to Mayville, entered the village library and stayed there until closing time. When a staff member told him and other people that they were closing the library, he allegedly stabbed her, and fled the scene.

Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey DiPalma, who is prosecuting the case, said Guadarrama was quickly located, taken into custody and identified shortly after the attack. During interviews, he allegedly said he tried to kill the librarian, which is why the charge went from assault to attempted murder.

DiPalma alleges that the attack was unprovoked.

“He doesn’t know her, he’s just mad, he’s angry and he took it out on her,” he said.

During Guadarrama’s interview with police, he apparently made some comments about how he didn’t like the way she was looking at him.

While in the county jail, Guadarrama allegedly stabbed a chaplain with a pencil.

The charges from the incidents at the jail and the library have been consolidated and both incidents will be brought before the jury once it is seated.

DiPalma said the defense has pleaded not guilty “by reason of mental defect, which is considered the insanity defense.”

A hearing took place last year where it was determined Guadarrama was competent to stand trial.

“Whether he’s competent to stand trial is an issue for the judge. Whether he was competent to commit the crime is a question for the jury,” DiPalma said.

This isn’t the first time Guadarrama has gotten in trouble with the law. DiPalma said the suspect was on probation at the time of this offense for two separate attempted arsons in the city of Jamestown.

Guadarrama is facing up to 25 years for the attempted murder charge.