INDIANAPOLIS — The man accused of killing IMPD officer Breann Leath is pleading insanity.
Marion Superior Court Judge Mark Stoner ruled Friday that Elliahs Dorsey can seek the insanity defense as he faces a possible death penalty for killing Leath in April 2020.
"You have an absolute right to present whatever defense you choose," Stoner told Dorsey during a hearing in a sixth-floor courtroom at the Community Justice Center.
Dorsey, wearing street clothes, answered questions from the judge and confirmed he does indeed wish to plead insanity. Stoner said the court will assign two psychiatrists to evaluate Dorsey's mental health.
Dorsey faces murder, attempted murder, confinement and battery charges in the April 9, 2020, incident that led to the shooting death of Officer Leath.
Leath and three other officers were called to a domestic disturbance at an east-side apartment complex near 21st Street and Shadeland Avenue.
Prosecutors say Dorsey fired shots through the closed apartment door, striking Leath. She died of two gunshots to the head.
Dorsey also shot and wounded a woman who tried to run from the apartment, prosecutors say.
Stoner approved another delay for Dorsey's trial, which had been set to begin in September. The new trial is set to begin Feb. 12 and is expected to last three weeks.
Jennifer Leath, Breann's mother, said after the hearing that her family has been disappointed by the many delays they've seen in Dorsey's case.
"He's entitled to his defense but it's not like a who-done-it," Leath said. ""It's just frustrating because we want justice for my daughter."
Contact WRTV reporter Vic Ryckaert at victor.ryckaert@wrtv.com or on Twitter: @vicryc.
-
Advocates working to house those living at a Fountain Square Encampment
Tents remain at the Fountain Square encampment that was supposed to close weeks ago, as housing advocates work through a process that takes 4-6 weeks to complete.
State agency recommends denying AES Indiana's $193M rate request
The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor is telling regulators to deny AES Indiana's $192.9 million rate increase request and instead cut current rates by $21.2 million.
Work starts to transform old Bloomington hospital site into affordable housing
The site of the hospital, now known as the Hopewell neighborhood, could feature as many as 175 new affordable housing units in its first phase.
Wayne Township Trustee’s Office faces rising demand amid budget strains
Wayne Township is seeing a dramatic rise in residents seeking help with school clothing and utility bills, forcing leaders to tap rainy-day funds as demand could grow ahead.
