Motions Hearing Scheduled Thursday In Capital Gazette Shooting Case
ANNAPOLIS (WJZ) -- Jarrod Ramos, the man who pleaded guilty after the deadly mass shooting at the Capital Gazette in 2018, walked into a court room Thursday, and his mental condition
was the main subject.
The attack killed five people, Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiassen, John McNamara, Rebecca Smith, and Wendi Winters.
In June's trial, prosecutors are expected to argue that Ramos has "normal behavior" and no mental health issues and they brought in two psychiatrists to help prove their point.
The psychiatrists' take on Ramos' mental capacity may ultimately help determine if Ramos is criminally responsible for the murders, ultimately undermining an insanity defense.
But defense attorneys had issues with one of the doctors. She'd met with Ramos just a handful of times, and because of that, they believe she's not qualified to be an expert witness and Judge Michael Wachs agreed, so he decided to limit her testimony.
At times Ramos, who has shoulder length hair and a long beard, was seen passing notes to his attorneys.
Also at issue Thursday was what will the proceedings look like in the COVID-19 era.
The Judge announced that he will allow witnesses and attorneys to wear a face shield while they are speaking, but when they're done talking, the masks must go back on.
Protective barriers are also up in the court room, around the jury box, the attorneys and Ramos.
After a motions hearing, the judge also made the decision to delay the trial by one day because it was set to start on the anniversary of the shooting.
The trial will now start on June 29th instead of 28th.