Deliberations are underway in the murder trial of a Florida man accused of intentionally running over Trooper Christopher Skinner on Interstate 81 in 2014.

The defense is claiming Almond Upton did not understand what he was doing due to mental illness while the prosecution has disputed whether Upton was delusional at the time.

Chief Assistant Public Defender Mike Baker told the jury he didn’t want to insult them and try to dispute that Upton did it, but he wanted them to consider why he did it.

The jury started considering the case following closing arguments July 3 and deliberated about an hour before being dismissed for the day.

If convicted of first degree murder, the 62 year old Upton faces life in prison.

 

 

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