A jury has denied an ex-Army's medic claim of insanity by way of PTSD, convicting him of vehicular homicide and nine other serious charges.
On Sept. 23, 2013, the former medic had been driving 75 miles per hour on U.S. 85/87 when he rear-ended a car with his truck, killing a young boy inside. The accused claimed that his speeding and the accident were the result of temporary insanity caused by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While serving in Iraq in 2006, the medic was traveling in a Humvee that was hit by a bomb. After that incident, the man was diagnosed with PTSD, adding that he has been haunted by a number of painful and distressing memories in the eight years since.
However, as the Colorado Springs Gazette notes, the jury rejected the ex-medic's defense and convicted him for 10 criminal traffic offenses, including vehicular homicide, child abuse resulting in death and reckless driving. The prosecution had argued that despite his PTSD diagnosis, the defendant had exhibited enough awareness before, during and after the accident to not qualify as temporarily insane.
A psychiatrist who had testified on the defense's behalf said he was shocked that the medic's PTSD claim was not only overturned, but that he was convicted at all. The man's attorney expressed the same sentiment, noting that, "a lot of people don't buy insanity when you've got somebody that's clearly insane."
If you've been charged with a serious criminal traffic offense like this, make sure you have only the best legal counsel at your side. The Orr Law Firm will work tirelessly to defend your case from the prosecution.