The jury in the trial accused "Highway Shooter" Charles McCoy has now heard testimony from more than three dozen witnesses. And on the key point of the defendant's sanity, the jury has conflicting testimony to sort through.
The prosecution today rebutted earlier defense testimony on McCoy's state of mind during the series of shootings along and near interstate highways in late 2003 and early 2004. Case Western Reserve Psychiatrist, Doctor Philip Resnick told jurors McCoy was legally sane when he fired at cars, houses, and school buildings.
The gist of Resnick's testimony comes in direct conflict with earlier testimony from defense psychiatrist Doctor Mark Mills
Both doctors testified that McCoy suffers from Paranoid Schizoprhenia and that he believed he was being harassed and at times, heard voices in his head. Mills testified McCoy told him he was desperate to control those voices and that when he dropped a piece of lumber or fired a shot from an interstate overpass the voices would diminish.
Resnick countered by saying that even though McCoy suffered from schizophrenia, he could still act rationally.
The jury's decision on whether McCoy was legally sane or insane is critical since the prosecution seeks a death penalty for the fatal shooting of 62 year old Gail Knisley in November of 2003.
Judge Charles Schneider says the jury will get the case Wednesday afternoon.