Lawyers for Patrick Crusius, the man accused of killing 23 people at an El Paso Walmart August 3rd of last year, said he was in a psychotic state when he was taken into custody minutes after the shooting and suffers from mental disabilities. Crusius has pleaded not guilty.
Crusius’ defense counsel disclosed the mental health conditions in a motion filed last week that asks for more time to investigate his mental state. His attorneys said in the motion that Crusius has been diagnosed with lifelong neurological and mental disabilities. “Counsel must gather all of the information necessary to inform experts who will then be in a position to interview Mr. Crusius at the jail and render opinions regarding his mental status at the time of the shooting,” the motion said. The government will make a decision regarding seeking the death penalty without input from the defense team if the mental investigation is not submitted by July, 20th.
