Randolph killing defense: It was the drugs talking:
It’s been almost three years since Jonathan Zarate murdered 16-year-old Jennifer Parks, dismembered her body, and tried to dump her in the Passaic River. Almost three years and the case still hasn’t gone to trial. Mostly because of Zarate’s defense either stalling or being completely unprepared. Now they’ve tried to delay it even more by attempting to consult with a toxicologist. Why is that you may ask? Well. now almost three years later Zarate is trying to claim that there’s no way he could have confessed to police willingly because he was high on weed laced with PCP.
Instead, defense attorney Richard S. Mazawey said in court Tuesday that a psychiatrist he plans to use in the case wants to consult with a toxicologist he just hired. Mazawey said his expectation is that the toxicologist would opine that Zarate couldn’t knowingly waive his legal right to remain silent because of the effects of “marijuana laced with PCP lingering in his system.”
Thankfully the judge denied the request.
Today a hearing will be held to determine if Zarate’s confession will be admissible.
Hat tip to Keb.
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