McKeever seeks court trial, insanity defense in New London murder case
David McKeever, who is accused of murdering his longtime girlfriend, Delma Murphy, at their New London home in November 2015, has opted to be tried by a panel of judges instead of a jury and will be pursuing an insanity defense.
McKeever's attorney, M. Fred DeCaprio, notified Judge Hillary B. Strackbein during McKeever's appearance Monday in New London Superior Court that McKeever has opted to be tried by a panel of three judges.
McKeever had lived with Murphy, 46, for 11 years and referred to her as his wife when, police said, he stabbed her multiple times, wrapped her body in towels and a blanket and left her in a bedroom for several days. A friend concerned with her welfare went to the home at 53 Cole St. on Nov. 18, 2015, and found her body.
The trial is expected to take place this fall.
In the first phase, the state will present evidence to the judges in an effort to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that McKeever is guilty.
Then the defense will call witnesses in an effort to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that McKeever is not guilty by reason of insanity, or that he lacked the capacity, as a result of a mental disease or defect, to appreciate the wrongfulness of his conduct or control his conduct.
Prosecutor Lawrence J. Tytla has not said whether he would contest the insanity defense, which, if successful, would result in McKeever being committed to the Whiting Forensic Division of Connecticut Valley Hospital rather than sentenced to a prison term.
"Oftentimes we're not able to make a reliable assessment until all the evidence has been presented," Tytla said. "A lot of times the facts of the crime and the evidence of the mental state are interwoven."
Following his arrest, McKeever refused to speak to his attorneys and acted psychotic, according to court records and testimony. He spent six months at Whiting, where clinicians reported they were able to restore him to competency.
He is hearing- and sight-impaired because he was born with a congenital disorder known as Usher Syndrome, according to a court document.
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