A Rockland County man accused of brutally beating his father to death was on Friday ruled mentally unfit to stand trial.

Steven Alicea, 33, of Congers, appeared in court Friday to face second-degree murder charges in the bludgeoning death of his 61-year-old father, Ismael Alicea.

A Clarkstown judge read a psychiatric evaluation of Alicea that finds him mentally unfit to aid his own defense. The information could influence the grand jury that is currently deciding whether to indict Alicea for murder.

News 12 learned earlier this week that at some point before Ismael Alicea's death, his wife went to local agencies in Rockland County to seek help for Steven, who has a mental illness.

Meanwhile, friends and family gathered for Ismael Alicea's wake at the Higgings Funeral Home in Congers. A funeral Mass for the senior Alicea will be held Saturday morning at the Church of St. Paul.