The jury trial for disabled former firefighter Wilbur H. Cope was delayed when he entered a not guilty by reason of insanity plea in mid-May, defense attorney Stephen Carter confirmed Monday, June 9.
Cope is accused of murder and assault with a deadly weapon for the shooting death of Kristen Lori Raviotta during an alleged shooting spree in the early morning hours of Sept. 10, 2006. Cope additionally faces three counts of attempted murder with the use of a firearm in the shooting of Terry Cain, Cope”s ex-wife Michele Cain and Sharon England, including an allegation of causing great bodily harm.
“With a not guilty by reason of insanity plea, the argument is that he was insane at the time the crime was committed, which is different from being not competent to stand trial,” Deputy District Attorney John Langan said Tuesday.
Clearlake resident Terry Cain was shot at point-blank range in his home, as the Observer*American previously reported. He underwent surgery to repair a carotid artery reportedly severed by one of the gunshots and suffered wounds to his right forearm, right shoulder, left clavicle and upper chest.
Cope”s jury trial was set to begin Tuesday, but Langan said the new plea meant trial dates must be vacated. Cope was found fit to stand trial in a January 2007 hearing.
Carter said Sonoma County psychologists Thomas Cushing and John Podboy are evaluating Cope. Cope is due back in court June 23 so that Lake County Superior Court Judge Arthur C. Mann can review the psychologists” reports.
A trial date will be set at the June 23 hearing. Carter estimated that the trial could begin in approximately two months.
n Bismarck Dinius
In other court news, the ongoing preliminary hearing for Carmichael resident Bismarck Dinius will continue Wednesday, June 11. The hearing was continued May 22 after three days of testimony and was to continue on Tuesday until it was rescheduled because of a medical appointment, according to Langan.
Dinius is charged with vehicular manslaughter involving a vessel for the death of Willows resident Lynn Thornton and with boating under the influence of alcohol. Thornton was a passenger on the sailboat Dinius piloted when it was hit from behind by Lake County Chief Deputy Sheriff Russell Perdock”s powerboat in April 2006.
Perdock is expected to resume testifying Wednesday morning.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com.
