BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The lawyer for a New York man charged with raping and torturing his mentally disabled half-sister before her death says he’ll pursue an insanity defense.
Luke Wright’s attorney filed papers Thursday saying his 31-year-old client is brain-damaged and mentally retarded and didn’t know the consequences of his actions or that they were wrong.
Prosecutors say they’ll fight that characterization as they seek a conviction on charges filed after the January suffocation of 23-year-old Laura Cummings of North Collins, outside Buffalo. The trial is set for April.
Cumming’s mother, Eva Cummings, was sentenced this week to 57 years to life in prison for murder and other counts.
Wright’s lawyer says he was brutally abused for years by a stepfather.