LAKE COUNTY — Two psychologists whose reports were reviewed in court June 30 agreed that disabled former firefighter Wilbur H. Cope was not insane when he allegedly shot four people in the early morning hours of Sept. 10, 2006, according to his defense attorney Stephen Carter.
Cope is accused of murder and assault with a deadly weapon for the death of Kristen Lori Raviotta during the shooting spree. He additionally faces three counts of attempted murder with the use of a firearm for allegedly shooting three other victims including his ex-wife Michele Cain and Sharon England. Cope is also charged with causing great bodily harm when he allegedly also shot Michele Cain”s current husband Terry Cain at point-blank range.
“If there is any evidence that the defendant was insane at the time of the crime, I haven”t seen it,” Deputy District Attorney John Langan said.
Carter entered a not guilty by reason of insanity plea May 12, and Mann appointed Sonoma County psychologists Thomas Cushing and John Podboy to evaluate Cope and offer opinions about whether or not Cope was sane when he allegedly shot the victims. The court reviewed the psychologists” reports June 30.
“Both doctors agreed ? their opinions were that he was not insane at the time of the events,” Carter said.
Carter said he could not comment on whether or not Cope will change his not guilty by reason of insanity plea, and did not indicate whether or not he plans to have Cope evaluated further.
“There is still a negotiation ongoing between our office and Mr. Carter to see if we can resolve the case prior to trial. But for now, we haven”t reached any resolution, and we are preparing like we are going to go forward with the trial,” Langan said.
Lake County Superior Court Judge Arthur Mann set Oct. 21 as Cope”s jury trial date, in a courtroom to be announced. Cope is due back in court Sept. 29 for a trial readiness conference in Dept. 3 in the Lake County Courthouse in Lakeport. Langan said any motions filed in the case will likely be heard then.
Cope is held at the Lake County Jail on $1.5 million bail. Carter said Cope faces life in prison with the possibility of parole if he is convicted. He said he could not comment on any motions he plans to file.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com.
