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Insanity Defense in Work Place Homicide

DOC

 

Attorneys for an Oklahoma man accused of beheading a co-worker at a Moore food plant in 2014 plan to use an insanity defense at his upcoming jury trial.

The Oklahoman reports court-appointed attorneys for Alton Alexander Nolen contend in court filings that he is so mentally ill that he did not know his actions were wrong.

Potential jurors are expected to gather Tuesday for the first time to fill out questionnaires.

The 33-year-old Nolen has admitted in court that he beheaded one co-worker at Vaughan Foods and tried to behead another. He has repeatedly asked to be executed and tried to plead guilty to a first-degree murder charge, but a judge did not accept his plea.

If convicted, Nolen could face the death penalty.