DA wants specifics of Robbins' mental illness

Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar is seeking the specifics of the "notice of insanity" filed on behalf of shooting suspect Jillian Robbins.

Robbins was charged with first- and third-degree murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault after the shooting that resulted in the death of Melanie Spalla, 21, of Altoona and the hospitalization of Nicholas Mensah of Philadelphia Sept. 17 on the HUB lawn.

Gricar said he will seek the death penalty.

Public Defender Deborah Lux stated last November she may be using an insanity defense. In the arraignment last September, Lux requested that an official reading of the charges not be made public because Robbins had not been evaluated by a psychiatrist. She said it was not yet determined whether Robbins understood the charges against her.

Now, Gricar said he wants to know the specifics of Robbins' mental illness. He said the defense is required to give the "exact nature" of the illness, but it did not appear in the "notice of insanity" Lux filed.

Centre County President Judge Charles C. Brown did not specify when he will announce his decision on the issue.

Robbins has spent the last two months at the Norristown State Hospital. She was originally committed to the hospital in late October for no more than 90 days. The stay has been extended to six months, Lux said.

If Robbins is found guilty by reason of legal insanity, she will be sent to a maximum-security mental institution and released after it is determined she is no longer a threat to herself or others.

In order to be found legally insane, the court must decide Robbins was not mentally responsible for her actions because she could not recognize the difference between right and wrong, or she could not stop herself from committing an act she knew was wrong due to a mental illness.