Ho-Ho-Kus Man Faces Murder Charge In Mother's Slaying

HO-HO-KUS, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) - The lawyer for a northern New Jersey man who allegedly stabbed and beat his mother to death earlier this month says he plans to use an insanity defense for his client.

John Weichsel told The Record that he and Nicholas Piotti's family believe "very strongly that Nick was psychotic" when the slaying occurred. The comments came Tuesday, shortly after the 24-year-old Ho-Ho-Kus resident made his initial court appearance in Hackensack.

Weichsel entered not guilty pleas to the murder charge on Piotti's behalf. The suspect did not comment during the hearing.

Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli has said Piotti's 63-year-old mother, Karen, suffered multiple stab wounds and beating trauma in the Sept. 1 attack. But the prosecutor has not commented on what may have prompted the attack.

A neighbor told WCBS 880's Jim Smith the killing was a tragedy and that the Piotti's husband has lost his whole family.

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