LEWISTOWN, Ill. — The defense presented its case Monday in the trial
of Nathan Woodring, who is accused in the fatal shooting of a Fulton County Sheriff’s deputy in 2019.
Woodring is facing two counts of first-degree murder.
News partner 25 News reports the defense on Monday detailed Woodring’s history with mental illness, not disputing that he shot and killed Deputy Troy Chisum.
The prosecution rested its case Monday morning after three days of presenting evidence.
State’s Attorney Justin Jochums said –based on testimony — Woodring was the only one in the rural Avon home at the time Chisum was shot, and that evidence confirmed Chisum did not fire his weapon — his tactical vest had shotgun pellets embedded in both the front and back.
Defense Attorney Nick Cotta said in his opening statement on Monday, that his case was built around giving jurors “another side” of the case.
The defense argued Woodring’s years-long battle with mental illness — paranoia about the police and anxiety make his legally insane — and therefore unable to appreciate the criminality of his conduct.
A psychiatrist, who conducted an evaluation, offered a diagnosis of psychosis — making Woodring legally insane and unable to be found criminally liable.
The prosecution in cross examinations argued Woodring’s use of methamphetamine was the root cause of his health issues — something the psychiatrist said contributed to his condition but became permanent.
The prosecution plans to call a second psychiatrist to the stand on Tuesday to dispute those claims.
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