The defense attorneys of a man accused of attacking another man with a stolen laptop at his home have filed a motion with the state to enter a plea of insanity. Though widely known, an insanity defense is rarely used.
Deonta Shawn Williams, along with a co-defendant, has been charged with the June 2013 burglary of the home of Michael Dodd.
Mr. Dodd told the Chattanooga Police Department that he was arriving at his house on Signal View Street when he saw a strange Jeep parked in his driveway. He said two men were inside.
Mr. Dodd got out of his own car, and he said the driver of the Jeep honked at him twice.
According to police, when Mr. Dodd got out of his car to investigate, the passenger jumped out, carrying stolen property he recognized from his house.
When Mr. Dodd confronted him, he said the man hit him in the head with his own laptop computer.
During their altercation, police said the driver backed into the road and the passenger managed to get back to the vehicle. They drove away, but Mr. Dodd got their tag number.
Mr. Dodd picked Deonta Williams, then 27, out of a police lineup. Williams was then charged with aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, and theft over $1,000.
His bond was set at $50,000. The trial is scheduled for Feb. 20.