Lawyers: 'Pentagon Shooter' Mentally Ill, Plea Needs Review

Defense attorneys for Yonathan Melaku, who shot at military buildings in Woodbridge, Triangle and other areas, said that new evidence shows their client is schizophrenic and was never fully advised of his rights.

Defense attorneys for Yonathan Melaku—who pleaded guilty last year to firing shots at five military buildings in the metropolitan area—say new evidence has emerged that their client is mentally ill and the court should review his plea agreement.  Melaku, 25, of Alexandria, suffers from severe Schizophrenia and experienced delusions and hallucinations at the time of his offenses, according to a written motion filed in U.S. District Court in Alexandria on Wednesday by defense attorneys Geoffrey Gitner, William Martin and Kerry Verdi. They wrote that he should be re-apprised of his rights, but they were not trying to withdraw the plea. The plea agreement calls for 25 years. If prosecuted to the fullest extent and convicted, Melaku would face …

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