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undeterred

(34,658 posts) Thu Apr 23, 2015, 07:57 AM Apr 2015

Ex-Wisconsin Deputy With ALS Not Guilty In Killings

Source: Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A former Wisconsin sheriff’s deputy with Lou Gehrig’s disease has been found not legally responsible in the killing of his wife and sister-in-law.

Forty-year-old Andrew Steele pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease to two counts of first-degree intentional homicide in the Aug. 22 shooting deaths of his 39-year-old wife, Ashlee Steele, and her sister, 38-year-old Kacee Tollefsbol of Lake Elmo, Minnesota.

Defense attorneys argued that the disease damaged Steele’s brain, making him not criminally responsible for the deaths. Prosecutors believed Steele planned the killings.

Lou Gehrig’s disease, also called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, attacks motor neurons, cells that control muscles. A jury deliberated for about 10 hours until all but two of the 12 agreed the verdict early Thursday.

Read more: http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/04/23/ex-wisconsin-deputy-with-als-not-guilty-in-killings/

4 replies

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Ex-Wisconsin Deputy With ALS Not Guilty In Killings (Original Post) undeterred Apr 2015 OP

I have an uncle with a brain tumor. sybylla Apr 2015 #1

ALS doesn't affect cognitive functioning and behavior n/t cosmicone Apr 2015 #2

Yes, it does Xithras Apr 2015 #3

I think this is the first time it has been used as a murder defense. undeterred Apr 2015 #4

sybylla

(8,522 posts)

1. I have an uncle with a brain tumor.

Reply to undeterred (Original post)

Thu Apr 23, 2015, 10:56 AM

Apr 2015

They've known since the end of October. By the end of January it messed up his head, his emotions, his memory. Some days he's sweet and kind and will give you everything he owns. The next day he is paranoid, thinks you or someone else in the family is out to get him and gets verbally abusive and violent - or at least he would if he had the strength.

He owns a stockpile of guns and ammo. Thankfully, the family locked it all up the minute he started acting crazy.

I can definitely see how this can happen.

Peace to his family and the survivors.

cosmicone

(11,014 posts)

2. ALS doesn't affect cognitive functioning and behavior n/t

Reply to undeterred (Original post)

Thu Apr 23, 2015, 11:05 AM

Apr 2015

Xithras

(16,191 posts)

3. Yes, it does

Reply to cosmicone (Reply #2)

Thu Apr 23, 2015, 02:57 PM

Apr 2015

Historically, ALS patients with dementia were seen as simply suffering from two different conditions, but over the past decade researchers have begun to realize that the dementia and cognitive impairment are linked to the ALS diagnosis itself, and are far more common than previously realized. Around 20% of ALS patients may have dementia.

http://www.alsa.org/als-care/resources/publications-videos/factsheets/fyi-cognitive-impairment.html

undeterred

(34,658 posts)

4. I think this is the first time it has been used as a murder defense.

Reply to cosmicone (Reply #2)

Thu Apr 23, 2015, 07:21 PM

Apr 2015

I couldn't find any descriptions of ALS which described violent tendencies as a symptom. To me it seems like a stretch. But I'm sure the jury had access to information that I don't.

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