Story Created:
Sep 16, 2008 at 6:00 PM AKDT
Story Updated:
Sep 16, 2008 at 6:00 PM AKDT
The murder trial for a man accused of killing four people including his grandparents has been delayed until June. Jason Abbott is accused of going on a rampage at his grandparents' Sitka home in March, killing his grandfather, grandmother, aunt and her boyfriend. He also is accused of attempting to stab another aunt. Police have said Abbott told them the "Lord made me murder them."
Marcy McDannel, Abbott's attorney, says she intends to file a motion to change the trial venue. McDannel also said she had officially notified the court of her plans to seek an insanity defense for Abbott. She said she may use insanity as an alternate defense. Abbott's trial had been scheduled to begin on Jan. 12, but was delayed until June 1. June Stein, assistant state attorney general, said the original trial date was "unrealistic" and that the state crime laboratory was still examining evidence.
