OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Ian Suzuki changed his plea Wednesday to add a not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect plea in connection with the murder of Jay Puestohl.
Suzuki, 29 is charged with first-degree intentional homicide for the Feb. 2 murder. The trial date of Jan. 11 was not changed at Wednesday’s hearing.
The so-called insanity plea means that first the jury will decide Suzuki’s guilt or innocence. If convicted, a second phase of the trial would be held to determine if Suzuki had a mental disease, and, if so, if he lacked the capacity to conform his behavior to the law. If a jury determines he meets those conditions, he would be committed to a psychiatric facility. If a jury determines he did not, he would face a life prison terms.
The incident happened at Suzuki’s mother’s home, during an argument about the conditions for him to live at the residence, police said. Suzuki allegedly stabbed Puestohl, a retired police officer.
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