Man accused of killing 2 relatives enters insanity plea

Listen to this article

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — A man accused of killing two of his relatives has pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect in Brown County Circuit Court.

Twenty-nine-year-old Oscar Lemus-Franco entered the plea Friday to two counts of first-degree intentional homicide. Gerson Alvarez-Franco and Jaime Lemus, both relatives of Lemus-Franco, were shot and killed at a Green Bay residence last September.

Lemus-Franco also faces charges for allegedly stabbing a police officer in the face following his arrest.

If the court or a jury finds him guilty of the murders, a second trial phase would determine if Lemus-Franco should be held criminally responsible due to his mental condition. If he is not found to be criminally responsible he would committed for psychiatric treatment.

Previously, a psychiatric exam in this case determined Lemus-Franco was competent to stand trial, which means he understands the proceedings and can assist in own defense, WLUK-TV reported.

He remains in custody on a $1 million cash bond.

No trial date was set.