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Jarrod Ramos' lawyers told a court that Ramos, 39, was not criminally responsible "because of mental disorders". The brief filed on Monday by the County High Court of Anne Arundel also stated that he did not have "the ability to assess his conduct."
Five people were shot dead in June 2018 in the press room of the Capital Gazette. Ramos was charged with 23 counts in the murder, including first degree murder. Ramos initially pleaded not guilty and the plea amendment filed on Monday maintains the plea of not guilty.
If, ultimately, Ramos was found not criminally responsible, he could be confined to a psychiatric penitentiary. A trial in November is planned.
Ramos was charged with first degree murder in the deaths of Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara, Rebecca Ann Smith and Wendi Winters.
In a court hearing earlier this month, a lawyer from Ramos repeatedly referred to his client's "bizarre language" and "bizarre behavior" that preceded the large-scale shooting on June 28th. Lawyer William Davis said that Ramos had "long-standing" mental health issues and a period of "mental health disorders." Davis also said that a mental health expert worked with the defense.
The state will conduct its own assessment to determine if Ramos was not criminally responsible. An independent prosecutor will prepare a report with recommendations, which will then be sent to defense counsel, prosecutors and the court.
Generally, a judge or jury would determine if the defendant is not criminally responsible after the trial.
Prosecutors seek to perpetuate in prison without the possibility of parole.
Police said Ramos used a shotgun to fight his way inside the press room. He was also charged with attempted murder, assault and gun crime.
According to prosecutors, Ramos carefully planned the attack and barricaded the back exit of the office to prevent people from escaping. The police claimed to have captured Ramos hiding under an office at the Capital Gazette office after the attack.
Ramos, of Laurel, Maryland, had a long history of harassing the newspaper's journalists. In 2012, he had filed a lawsuit against the newspaper, alleging that he had been defamed in an article about his conviction for criminal harassment in 2011. The Capital had published an article describing a woman's allegations who was allegedly harassed online by Ramos. The defamation suit was found to be unfounded and Ramos criticized the newspaper's staff in rude tweets.
In the days following the attack, area judges and a lawyer received letters threatening the editorial staff and signed on behalf of Ramos.
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