Close

Sun Subscriber Website Login




Username:  

Password:  



Please wait....
 
News Story
Updated: 07/13/2012 09:58:02PM

Prosecutor: Fla. teen not insane in girl’s beating %reldate(2012-07-13T20:04:40

Share this story:


By CURT ANDERSON

AP Legal Affairs Writer

Text Size:


FORT LAUDERDALE (AP) — A Florida prosecutor is urging jurors to reject the insanity defense for a 17-year-old boy accused in the kicking and stomping attack on a girl outside a middle school.

Prosecutor Maria Schneider said in closing arguments Friday there’s ample evidence Wayne Treacy planned the assault on Josie Lou Ratley and understood it could mean a prison sentence. She told jurors that shows Treacy knew right from wrong.

The defense contends Treacy suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder triggered by his brother’s suicide. They say Treacy was sent over the edge after Ratley made reference to the brother’s death in a series of vulgar and insulting text messages between the two. Ratley nearly died and has permanent brain injuries.

Treacy faces a maximum 50-year prison sentence if convicted of attempted first-degree murder.




ADVERTISEMENT