Man accused in sword slayings can use insanity plea
Gulf War Veteran Franklyn 'Frankie' Duzant is accused of
using a sword to kill his wife and son
Rene Stutzman
Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted February 19 2007, 10:29 AM EST
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/orl-bk-duzant021906,0,2246827.story?coll=sfla-news-florida
SANFORD -- A judge today ruled that a Lake Mary man may plead insanity for two
slayings -- beheading his wife and chasing down his 11-year-old son and killing
the boy with a sword while neighbors looked on.
Franklyn "Frankie" Duzant, 41, said nothing at today's brief hearing.
Assistant State Attorney Donna Goerner said the state would not oppose the
insanity plea. However, she asked Circuit Judge Donna McIntosh to allow state
experts to conduct a mental evaluation of Duzant, a disabled Army cook.
McIntosh agreed.
According to defense pleadings, two defense mental health experts will testify
that Duzant was insane on the day last summer that he killed everyone in his
household, his wife and son.
Defense attorney Diana Tennis said last week that it appears Duzant suffers from
paranoid schizophrenia.
Based on the judge's order today, a psychiatrist and psychologist recommended by
the state will now evaluate him to see if they agree.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
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