Phillip Garrido Hears Angels Voices, Says Lawyer
Photo: Phillip Garrido.
Photos: Inside Jaycee's Terror Tent
Photos: Inside Phillip Garrido's House
That's according to court filings for Garrido, whose lawyer says the alleged kidnapper and rapist of Jaycee Dugard "has a serious mental illness" and may not be competent to stand trial.
Susan Gellman, Garrido's public defender, offered that assessment of her client's mental fitness while disputing assertions by prosecutors who say Gellman should be prohibited from trying to contact Dugard. The prosecutors contend Garrido is using his lawyer to manipulate Dugard from behind bars.
Photo: Jaycee Dugard.
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Gellman filed the papers in response to a request by prosecutors for a protective order, that would keep her and Garrido from attempting to communicate with Dugard, either directly or indirectly.
Gellman said that Garrido is too psychologically impaired to attempt to harass Dugard from afar.
Photo: Phillip Garrido.
Photos: Inside Jaycee's Terror Tent
Photos: Inside Phillip Garrido's House
"The district attorney is making the very same mistake that parole authorities made concerning Mr. Garrido for many years," Gellman wrote, arguing that Garrido's actions aren't evidence of manipulation. "He is ignoring the signs of serious mental illness. It appears that Phillip Garrido has been hearing voices of angels for years."
In seeking the protection for Dugard, District Attorney Vern Pierson described Garrido as a "master manipulator" who had sought to intimidate Dugard into not cooperating with authorities. The motion for a protective order is scheduled to be heard at a hearing Friday.
Garrido and his wife, Nancy, have pleaded not guilty to kidnapping Dugard and holding her captive for 18 years in the backyard of their Antioch, Calif. home. Gellman so far has not formally indicated that she plans to advise him to plead not guilty by reason of insanity or to argue he is incompetent to stand trial.
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Photos: Jaycee Dugard "Happy To Be Back"
Photos: Inside Jaycee's Terror Tent
Photos: Inside Phillip Garrido's House
Photos: The Search For Jaycee
Photos: Jaycee Lee Dugard Found Alive
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