Connecticut prom day stabbing suspect have pleaded not guilty to murder on Wednesday after he killed his classmate in April for not going with him to the prom. The Connecticut prom day stabbing suspect is a 17-year-old boy, and he pleaded not guilty as his attorney is considering a possible mental health defense.
According to the Associated Press, the Connecticut prom day stabbing suspect is high school student Christopher Plaskon. He reportedly answered the judge's queries as he began the plea the Milford Superior Court. Reports also said that he waived his right to a probable cause hearing and elected for a trial before a three-judge panel rather than a jury.
According to NY Daily News, the Connecticut prom day stabbing happened hours before the school's junior prom. There is a possibility that the killing happened as Sanchez supposedly refused to be Plaskon's prom date, but police are still currently investigating this angle.
Richard Meehan is the Connecticut prom day stabbing suspect's attorney, and he said on Wednesday after the hearing that though asking for a mental health defense might be premature, doing so would prove more difficult in front of a jury. ABC News reports that According to Meehan, the Connecticut prom day stabbing suspect's family is on anti-psychotic and anti-anxiety medications. However, they are lucid. The suspect's family was present during the hearing.
Meehan said on the possible mental health defense for the Connecticut prom day stabbing suspect, "Obviously we have an obligation to this young man based on the things that we do know to evaluate what his mental status was. I'm a firm believer juries have a difficult time with issues pertaining to mental health in the criminal justice system."
He added that even though a jury's verdict is decided unanimously, a verdict by judges can be two to one. He added that a trial for his client, the Connecticut prom day stabbing suspect, is not expected until fall at least.
The Connecticut prom day stabbing suspect, Plaskon, has been charged with stabbing his friend to death. The victim's name is Maren Sanchez, and the 16-year-old died in April after Plaskon allegedly killed her in a hallway at Jonathan Law High School in Milford. Sanchez was reportedly a member of the National Honor Society and was active in drama and other school activities.
According to a witness of the Connecticut prom day stabbing, Plaskon was on top of Sanchez during the attack. The witness even tried to pull him away, however unsuccessfully. According to a police affidavit, another witness allegedly saw him throw a bloody knife away. With his clothes all bloodied up, Plaskon was immediately taken to the principal's office where an officer arrived and asked what happened. According to the officer who responded, Plaskon just said, "I did it. Just arrest me."
According to Prosecutor Kevin Lawlor, his job, which is to prove the case, would be to point out that a possible mental health defense was insignificant at this point in time
Meanwhile, the family of the Connecticut prom day stabbing suspect are mourning the death of Sanchez and they are reportedly still trying to understand what made Plaskon commit the crime.
Meehan said, "This is a very sorrowful, sad youngster. It really is a double tragedy."
Connecticut prom day stabbing suspect is placed at a hospital while held on a $3 million bond at Manson Youth Institution in Cheshire. Plaskon is reportedly being prosecuted as an adult and can possibly face up to 60 years in prison with a mandatory minimum of 25 years if found guilty of murder.
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