Jason Dalton Likely To Use Insanity Defense In Kalamazoo Shootings Case

Jason Dalton (credit: Kalamazoo County Sherrif's Department)

KALAMAZOO (WWJ/AP) — A Michigan man charged with killing six strangers in between picking up riders for Uber is expected to use insanity as a defense.

Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting said Monday that Jason Dalton's defense attorney says he will file a notice of intent. Once the notice is filed, the state will be ordered to perform a psychiatric evaluation of Dalton within 60 days.

"I anticipate that the court will start with Mr. Dalton in the courtroom," Getting said. "If he acts in a way that is causing a disturbance he will be warned and told to stop, if he continues then it would be up to the court of what would happen next, but I would expect them to have him removed."

A pretrial conference for Dalton was held Monday in Kalamazoo County Circuit Court.

The 45-year-old is charged with murder and attempted murder in the Feb. 20 shootings of eight people in three locations in the Kalamazoo area. Six people died.

Police have quoted Dalton as saying a "devil figure" on Uber's app was controlling him on the night of the shootings.

TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.