Judge permits Indianapolis cop fatal shooting suspect to raise the defense of insanity

Indianapolis, Indiana – In order to avoid the death penalty, a man accused of killing an Indianapolis police officer who was responding to a domestic violence complaint in 2020 will be permitted to use insanity as a defense.

The decision was issued on Friday by a judge in Marion Superior Court, and two psychiatrists will be chosen to assess Elliahs Dorsey’s mental state.

In a motion submitted to the court in May, Dorsey’s attorneys claimed that a doctor’s assessment indicated the man was mentally ill when he fatally shot Indianapolis Police Officer Breann Leath.

Dorsey was shot twice in the head through the door of an Indianapolis apartment while Leath and three other officers were responding to a domestic violence incident involving Dorsey, according to police.

Dorsey is accused of shooting a lady he had imprisoned inside the flat, according to one count each of murder and criminal confinement. He also faces four charges of attempted murder.

According to a judge’s decision, prosecutors may ask for the death penalty.

His trial was originally planned to begin in September, but it will now start on February 12, 2024.