Man accused of newspaper attack changes to insanity defense

April 29, 2019 12:00 am • Last Updated: April 29, 2019 5:58 pm

FILE - This June 28, 2018, file photo provided by the Anne Arundel Police shows Jarrod Ramos in Annapolis, Md. Attorneys for Ramos, accused of killing five people at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Md., said Monday, April 29, 2019, he is pleading not criminally responsible in an insanity defense. (Anne Arundel Police via AP, File)

Annapolis, Md. (AP) — The man accused of killing five people at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland, is pleading not guilty by reason of insanity.

Lawyers for Jarrod Ramos said in a court filing Monday that the 39-year-old Ramos is not criminally responsible "because of a mental disorder." The filing also says he lacked the "capacity to appreciate the criminality of his conduct."

Ramos previously pleaded not guilty.

Five people were fatally shot in June 2018 in the Capital Gazette newsroom. Ramos was indicted on 23 charges in the attack, including first-degree murder.

If Ramos were found not criminally responsible, he could be confined to a mental health prison facility. A November trial has been set.

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