Ellenberger's lawyer to argue for mental status examination
The lawyer representing a Chicora man accused of attempted criminal homicide says his client has a long history of psychiatric issues that he will use to build an insanity defense in the coming months.
Butler County Judge Timothy McCune scheduled a March hearing during which Charles Nedz, attorney for 56-year-old Gary Ellenberger, will try to persuade the court to allow a forensic psychiatrist to examine and, ultimately, determine his mental status.
Ellenberger is charged with shooting Heath Schrecengost, 27, of Karns City in the torso at a Chicora bar in September.
“Mr. Ellenberger has an extensive history of psychiatric treatment and I have many concerns that he can't appreciate the nature and quality of his alleged actions,” Nedz said. “We need to have a complete psychiatric evaluation to flesh out these issues.”
According to witnesses interviewed by police, the two didn't know each other and the randomness of the crime raised questions for Nedz about Ellenberger's mental state.
In a filing requesting the approved hearing, Nedz wrote, “the defendant suffers from a schizoaffective disorder ... a question exists as to whether the defendant understood the nature and quality of his actions.”
Nedz also subpoenaed several doctors who have been in contact with Ellenberger over the years.
