Jurors weigh sanity question in Alemany murder trial

There is no question that Edwin Alemany stabbed and killed Amy Lord, nor is there any doubt that he attacked two other women in two separate instances, his lawyer told a Suffolk County Court jury in his closing arguments.

Defense attorney Jeffery Denner petitioned the jury to acknowledge the admission of guilt and see these crimes as the behavior of a mentally ill man who had been in and out of psychiatric hospitals and has been on anti-psychotic medication for years.

“We have conceded guilt,” Denner told the jury on Friday, according to the Boston Globe. “[But] he’s sick. You know he’s sick.”

Alemany was a child rape victim who had been put in mental health facilities at least six times before he was 16, according to the Boston Globe. The defense is asking for a not guilty verdict by reason of insanity in light of Alemany’s tormented past.

Alemany, 30, is alleged to have attacked Lord on Dorchester Street as she headed to a gym at about 6 a.m. on July 23, 2013, dragging 24-year-old Wilbraham resident back to her apartment where he continued to beat her before forcing her into her car to withdraw money from five ATMs.

At 8:40 that morning, Lord’s Jeep Cherokee was found set ablaze in Southie. A bicyclist found Lord’s body in the Stony Brook Reservation in Hyde Park later that evening.

Alemany, 30, is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, armed carjacking, arson and several counts of robbery in connection with the 2013 homicide.

He also faces charges of attempted murder, armed assault with intent to murder, assault and battery, and aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon for two additional attacks that occurred in Southie before and after Lord’s July murder.

A psychiatrist hired by the defense told the court that Alemany hears the voice of a man telling him he is worthless, along with other psychotic conditions including severe depression, identity disorders and alcoholism. Dr Keith Ablow testified that despite the many hospitalizations, Alemany was never properly diagnosed or treated for a specific condition.

“My opinion is that as a result of serious mental illnesses, Mr. Alemany could not appreciate either the wrongfulness of his conduct nor could he conform his behavior to the requirements of the law,” Ablow said, according to the Globe.

Alemany was initially ruled unfit for arraignment and was sent to Bridgewater State Hospital, where he is said to have told clinicians that he never feels a sense of guilt or remorse. He attempted suicide in his Suffolk County jail cell following his arrest in 2013 and on May 31, 2015.

The jury will now have to decide whether Alemany is capable of comprehending right and wrong. Prosecutors must be able to show that Alemany was able to distinguish the difference and disregard the moral and lawful implications of his actions.

“Mr. Alemany knew exactly what he was doing,” Suffolk Assistant District Attorney John Pappas said, the Globe reported. “This man acted with purpose and with clarity of mind.”

The jury will resume deliberations today.