State v. Kleypas

MAUS, Judge.

The 21 year old defendant was charged with having committed a capital murder on January 23 or 24, 1977. He entered a plea of not guilty and gave notice of his intent to rely upon the defense of mental disease or defect. He was permitted to waive trial by jury. While the defendant introduced evidence tending to establish the same, the trial court found that the evidence did not establish mental disease or defect excluding responsibility. The trial court further found the defendant’s actions in killing the victim were the result of prolonged and excessive use of drugs coupled with…