Mental health defence dropped in Chinese scholar case

By The Associated Press

Posted April 29, 2019 12:17 pm.

This article is more than 5 years old.

PEORIA, Ill. — Lawyers for a former University of Illinois student accused of killing a visiting Chinese scholar say they are abandoning their mental health defence.

The (Champaign) News-Gazette reports that Brendt Christensen’s attorneys had been planning to argue that the 29-year-old suffered from severe mental illness in an attempt to avoid the death penalty if he is convicted of killing Yingying Zhang. Mental health exams were scheduled to begin Monday. The attorneys gave no reason in a Friday filing.

Prosecutors say Christensen lured Zhang into his car in June 2017, tortured and killed her. Her body hasn’t been found.

Urbana attorney Steve Beckett, who represents Zhang’s family, says he is shocked by the mental-health defence withdrawal.

Prosecutors have asked the court if their own mental health expert can still examine Christensen.

Christensen’s trial is set to begin June 3.

___

Information from: The News-Gazette, http://www.news-gazette.com

The Associated Press

Keep it Factual

Add CityNews Toronto as a trusted source on Google to see more local stories from us.

Submit a Correction

Accessibility Feedback

Top Stories

Community leaders speak out as Muslim family faces alleged harassment in Clarington

A Muslim farmer in Bowmanville is allegedly facing a concentrated and escalating campaign of intimidation, hate, and extremist threats targeting his family.

7h ago

TDSB projecting $15M deficit for next school year; TCDSB deficit almost $40M

Despite being under provincial supervision due to alleged financial mismanagement, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is projecting a $15 million deficit for the 2026-2027 school year. In a budget...

5h ago

Cabbagetown restaurant facing eviction amid landlord dispute

Riyah Cafe in Cabbagetown has been open less than a year, but it has quickly gained in popularity, particularly now with Morocco's World Cup run. But what many diners may not know is that the owners are...

9h ago

Man seriously injured in west end stabbing

A man has been seriously injured following a stabbing in the west end of the city. Toronto police were called to an apartment building in the Lansdowne Avenue and Dupont Street area just before 6 p.m....

5h ago

Top Stories

Community leaders speak out as Muslim family faces alleged harassment in Clarington

A Muslim farmer in Bowmanville is allegedly facing a concentrated and escalating campaign of intimidation, hate, and extremist threats targeting his family.

7h ago

TDSB projecting $15M deficit for next school year; TCDSB deficit almost $40M

Despite being under provincial supervision due to alleged financial mismanagement, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is projecting a $15 million deficit for the 2026-2027 school year. In a budget...

5h ago

Cabbagetown restaurant facing eviction amid landlord dispute

Riyah Cafe in Cabbagetown has been open less than a year, but it has quickly gained in popularity, particularly now with Morocco's World Cup run. But what many diners may not know is that the owners are...

9h ago

Man seriously injured in west end stabbing

A man has been seriously injured following a stabbing in the west end of the city. Toronto police were called to an apartment building in the Lansdowne Avenue and Dupont Street area just before 6 p.m....

5h ago

Most Watched Today

2:07

High temperatures, storm risk continues into early Saturday

Heat warnings remain in place through Friday and into the early part of the weekend before we see some relief.

6h ago

2:04

Search for 7-year-old missing boy in Hamilton ends in tragedy

Investigators said Nathanael Selambi had been located deceased on Thursday, but provided no further details as to the circumstances that may have led up to his death.

6h ago

3:07

Small Bowmanville farm owners fearful amid alleged online misinformation

A Bowmanville husband and father who has a small farm on his rural residential property says he and his family are worried amid alleged online misinformation. Advocates and officials say they share his concerns. Nick Westoll explains.

8h ago

2:26

Moroccan restaurant in Cabbagetown facing eviction over landlord dispute

The owner of Rayah Café claims that a lack of transparency on additional charges from her landlord has left her fighting for the restaurant's survival. Erica Natividad with why Ontario's laws are complicating the dispute.

9h ago

2:33

Cooling down is crucial during a heat wave

As temperatures spike and everyone is out enjoying the hot days of summer, it's important to remember to take cool down breaks, especially for our small loved ones

10h ago