New York City 's chief medical examiner said that Leiby died after being drugged and then smothered . Levi Aron has been accused of beating , smothering and dismembering the victim . He has pleaded not guilty to involvement in year - old 's death . Suspect has been found mentally competent to stand trial , attorneys say . Suspect and victim are members of a close - knit Orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn .
Levi Aron has been accused of beating , smothering and dismembering the victim . He has pleaded not guilty to involvement in year - old 's death . Suspect has been found mentally competent to stand trial , attorneys say . Suspect and victim are members of a close - knit Orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn .