WYNNE, Ark. (AP) — The capital murder trial continues Thursday in Wynne for a man charged with beating an 80-year-old woman to death inside a church.
On Wednesday, defense attorneys for Rene Bourassa Jr. called witnesses who testified that the man suffered childhood abuse and that he was genetically predisposed to violence. Bourassa has admitted killing Lillian Wilson by beating her to death with a brass cross.
The Jonesboro Sun reports a psychologist testified that Bourassa was bipolar and also suffered from mixed personality disorder and borderline personality disorder.
The psychologist and a forensic psychiatrist testified that the mental disorders don't excuse Bourassa's behavior — but could explain why he killed Wilson. Bourassa's attorneys are asking the jury to consider a lesser charge than capital murder; prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
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