Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock/infocus
Trial

Man accused of killing partner and son may blame cough syrup

Lawyers are to make the case Dr Louis Chen suffered from a cough-syrup induced psychosis.

ATTORNEYS FOR A doctor charged with aggravated murder may argue that their client was suffering from cough-syrup induced psychosis, which led him to kill his partner and toddler son in 2011.

The Seattle Times reports that 43-year-old Dr Louis Chen is accused of fatally stabbing 29-year-old Eric Cooper and 2-year-old Cooper Chen, whose bodies were found inside the couple’s Seattle apartment.

Chen’s defense team had previously indicated it would pursue an insanity or diminished capacity defense.

But a motion filed in October suggests Chen had a build up of dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant found in many over-the-counter cold medicines, in his system.

The motion argues that the drug metabolised slowly in Chen, who is Taiwanese, due to his genetic makeup.

Chen goes to trial in April.

Read: Will buses be banned from one of Dublin’s busiest junctions?>

Read: Homeless man gives police officers Christmas gift after they save his injured dog>

Author
Associated Foreign Press
Your Voice
Readers Comments
11
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.