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The trial of Adrian Loya continues this morning. Loya, a former Coast Guard member, is accused of shooting Lisa Trubnikova and her wife Anna Trubnikova on February 5, 2015, killing Lisa and injuring Anna. Both were also members of the Coast Guard. Loya is also charged for shooting and injuring Police Officer Jared MacDonald, who responded to the scene.
Loya allegedly broke into the couple’s Massachusetts home armed with multiple guns before opening fire on them, with a video camera strapped to his body to record the carnage.
According to police, Loya wrote a 250-page manifesto detailing why he wanted to kill Lisa. Her family has said Loya had been obsessed with Lisa since they were stationed together.
Loya’s attorneys have claimed that he should not be held responsible because he suffers from mental illness. He was previously examined by a psychiatrist and deemed competent to stand trial, but his defense team had him evaluated by a private psychiatrist as well.
On Thursday, different medical examiners testified as to Loya’s mental condition and whether he was able to conform his behavior to the law. Previously, Dr. Martin Kelly said that Loya had Asperger Syndrome, but both forensic psychiatrist Dr. Judith Edersheim and forensic psychologist Dr. John Daignault said otherwise on Thursday. Dr. Edersheim, who was not able to interview Loya himself, said Loya suffered from borderline personality disorder and avoidant personality disorder, but was able to recognize the wrongfulness of his actions and conform his behavior to the law. Dr. Daignault, on the other hand, said Loya has a depressive disorder, and on the night of the shooting he suffered from a delusional disorder, which prevented him from appreciating the wrongfulness of his actions.
The trial could very well wrap up on Friday, with the jury beginning their deliberations.
Stay with LawNewz.com and the LawNewz Network for continuing coverage of this case.
[Image via Cape Cod Times]