COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – The man who opened fire on a Planned Parenthood clinic could push a Colorado Springs court to decide whether his actions were an act of political zealotry or mental illness.
Robert Dear clashed with defense attorney Daniel King in court Wednesday, bluntly declaring his reasons for the shootings, even as King suggested Dear might need a psychiatric evaluation. Dear rejected that, calling it an excuse to silence him with drugs.
Dear is charged with 179 counts, including murder and attempted murder. He killed three and injured nine at the Colorado Springs clinic.
If Dear is found to be mentally competent, he has a right to make political statements, even if his lawyers think it’s unwise.
