By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Centralia resident Weston G. Miller pleaded not guilty to murder three weeks ago and now he’d like to plead not guilty by reason of insanity.
Miller, 30, is being held in the March shooting death of his house guest, 43-year-old David Wayne Carson.
[1]David Wayne Carson
A hearing has been scheduled so a judge can hear from experts on both sides about Miller’s mental state at the time of Carson’s death.
It is on the court calendar for Jan. 28.
The former welder told police he acted in self-defense, but prosecutors say it was unprovoked attack when Miller shot Carson twice in the chest area inside Miller’s house on B Street.
An early court filing by Miller’s attorney indicated he would be relying upon a defense of insanity / diminished capacity. His lawyer, J.P. Enbody, has not detailed what his client’s issues are.
Lewis County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher said today he won’t discuss the issues, at least until the upcoming hearing.
Miller was only just arraigned last month because of a question whether he was competent to stand trial. A hearing was set for a judge to decide, but then lawyers suddenly agreed Miller was competent.
Meagher said the judge will hear from experts on both sides and can either find Miller not guilty by reason of insanity or decide it is a decision for a jury to make.
His trial is currently scheduled for next month.
•••
For background, read “B Street homicide: Defendant says self defense” from Wednesday March 14, 2012, here [2]