Header Image: Defense attorney Michael McDermott
Times Union reports
Nelson Patino’s attorney plans to argue defendant isn’t responsible for 2021 killings due to short-term psychosis caused by virus
An attorney for a man facing life in prison for allegedly killing his wife and young son will try to convince a jury his client is not responsible for the homicides because of psychosis caused by a bout with COVID-19.
Nelson Patino’s attorney, Michael McDermott, is prepared to argue his 48-year-old client is not responsible for the December 2021 killings of Alexandria Bustamante Gomez, 37, and the couple’s 5-year-old son, Jacob, because Patino was suffering from short-term psychosis brought on by the virus.
“We’re going to be calling a psychiatrist to talk about Nelson suffering from psychosis at the time these events occurred, including delusions and auditory hallucinations,” McDermott said Wednesday during a lunch break from jury selection.
Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney said his office will present evidence to the contrary.
“We had him (Patino) examined as is our right, and we will be arguing that he did not suffer from a psychotic episode brought about by COVID or anything else, and that he is criminally responsible for the crimes that were committed,” said Carney.
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https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/covid-19-make-duanesburg-man-kill-wife-son-18419329.php
