LEWISBURG — Roderick Sims shot and killed Charity Spickler in a heat of passion after seeing her in bed with another man, forensic psychiatrist Dr. Clarence Watson testified Monday in Union County Court.
An extremely agitated Sims, who opposes the defense strategy of involuntary manslaughter due to his mental state, interrupted the Philadelphia defense expert several times.
“He is speculating,” Sims blurted out at one point.
The 50-year-old claims he was under the influence of alcohol and prescription drugs on Sept. 27, 2008, and accidentally shot and killed his estranged fiancee and the mother of his three children at her friend’s 55 S. Water St. apartment.
Undeterred by blood tests that show he was not intoxicated the night of the shooting, Sims told President Judge Michael H. Sholley he’s upset defense attorneys John McLaughlin and Michael Dennehy, of Danville, aren’t listening to him and continue to pursue a defense strategy he disputes.
Union County District Attorney D. Peter Johnson contends Sims was angry with Spickler for leaving him and meant to kill her. He is seeking a felony second-degree murder conviction, which carries a life sentence.
Prosecution witnesses Kevin and Donna Gray testified last week that Sims threatened to shoot Spickler in the head just days before the slaying.
The threats didn’t sway Watson’s position that Sims, who he diagnosed as having a narcissistic personality disorder, killed Spickler in a rage that erupted suddenly when he looked in the window of the first-floor apartment and saw her topless in bed with Eric Hitchcock.
“He flew off the handle. He was reacting to what he saw,” said Watson, testifying to what Sims told him about the shooting.
Hitchcock testified last week that he was giving Spickler a back massage on the bed for about 15 minutes before Sims broke down the back door of the apartment, tore the bedroom door off the hinges and confronted them with a revolver.
Watson said his opinion about Sims’ immediate violent reaction would change if he’d been watching them through the window for a prolonged period of time.
Though Sims denied in his testimony that he saw Spickler and Hitchcock on the bed while admittedly peeking through other windows of the apartment, his mother took the stand and said that’s what set him off the night of the shooting.
Carolyn Crafton, of Paterson, N.J., testified Sims called her at 11:55 p.m., immediately after the slaying, and told her what he had done.
“Ma, I just killed Charity and I’m going to kill myself. I caught her in bed with another man,” she recalled him saying.
Sims, who was chided by Sholley for interrupting witnesses and speaking loudly during the testimony of others Monday, asked to take the stand again.
Sholley denied the request, noting that Sims was given a rare opportunity to deliver his testimony Friday in a narrative rather than the usual question-and-answer format.
“You had your opportunity,” he said.
The trial is scheduled to resume at 1 p.m. today.
News
Psychiatrist: Sims killed in heat of passion
- News
-
-
Monroe Township sewing factory may get to rebuild
SELINSGROVE — The Monroe Township supervisors are working on a proposal that may allow EMS Surgical Equipment to rebuild its sewing factory, which was destroyed by fire in February on a nearby lot.
-
Danville to share information on new cyber program at June parent session
A parent information session for the Danville school district’s new cyber program will be held June 3 at 6 p.m. in the Danville High School cafeteria.
-
Governor says distribution center near Hazleton will bring jobs
HAZLETON — Gov. Tom Corbett says American Eagle Outfitters Inc. is planning a $160 million-plus distribution center near Hazleton that is projected to generate nearly 400 jobs.
-
House panel moves to curb military sexual assaults
WASHINGTON — Members of a House panel angry over sexual abuse problems in the military are set to vote on a bill that would strip commanding officers of their authority to unilaterally change or dismiss court-martial convictions — a change that lawmakers believe will lead to a cultural shift that encourages more victims to step forward.
-
Pennsylvania Constitution Center to display Bill of Rights
PHILADELPHIA — One of the 12 surviving copies of the Bill of Rights that may have been pilfered from Pennsylvania in the late 1800s will be on display in Philadelphia for three years, beginning with the 225th anniversary next year of the drafting of the country’s highest ideals.
-
Public info meeting on Rail Trail extension takes place tomorrow
LEWISBURG -- Rail Trail fans, listen up: An informational meeting on the proposed extension of the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail into Lewisburg borough takes place 7 p.m. tomorrow at the William Cameron Engine Co's. training facility at North Fifth Street and Buffalo Road.
-
Gas line break forces one-hour evacuation in Milton
MILTON — Residents in Milton were forced out of their homes for over an hour this morning after a contractor working on Carr Avenue hit a gas line, according to UGI.
-
Today's Top Videos
-
Lewisburg schools lockdown lifted within 20 minutes this morning
LEWISBURG - Schools in the Lewisburg Area School District were locked down briefly this morning due to "a potential threat," according to the district's alert system.
-
Long-time Beavertown mayor ousted by 14 votes
Political newcomer Lee Hollenbach Jr. defeated incumbent Mayor Cloyd “Bill” Wagner in Tuesday night’s Republican primary.
-
Dunkleberger wins Republican primary for prothonotary
Justin Dunkelberger defeated Jamie Saleski 2,744-2,124 in a hotly contested Republican primary election Tuesday night for Northumberland County prothonotary and clerk of courts.
-
Persing wins Republican nod for mayor
Incumbent Mayor David Persing, who fought off repeated allegations in recent months by challenger Julie Brosius, won the Republican nomination by a landslide in Tuesday’s primary election.
-
10 Things to Know for Today
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:
-
FBI: Man fatally shot in Boston bombing probe
ORLANDO, Fla. — A man being questioned in the Boston Marathon bombing case was shot to death at his home by an FBI agent today after turning violent, officials said.
-
Fire destroys $60G cottage in Union County
WINFIELD — A fire swept through a Winfield home while its occupants were at work Tuesday.
-
2013 Primary Election - Top Races
Unofficial primary election returns
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY
Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts
Republican
Justin R. Dunkelberger 2,744
Jamie Saleski 2,124100 percent reporting
Magisterial District Judge
08-3-02, Milton
Republican
Larry Redington 496
Mike Diehl 684
Lisa A. Riley 328
Seth M. Cotner 132
Democrat
Larry Regington 182
Seth M. Cotner 90
Mike Diehl 221Lisa A. Riley 218
100 percent reporting
Sunbury Mayor
Republican
Julie Brosius 200
David L. Persing 378100 percent reporting
Sunbury Treasurer
Republican
Stanley E. Geiswhite 176
Kevin E. Troup 388
100 percent reportingUNION COUNTY
County Coroner
Republican
Tod M. Steese 542
Dominick T. Adamo 1,04963 percent reporting
Gregg Township
Alcohol Sales: Do you favor the granting of liquor license for the sale of liquor in the Township of Gregg?
Yes 82
No 72
100 percent reporting -
Midd-West adopts preliminary budget
Faced with a firm deadline in which to adopt a preliminary budget for 2013-14, the Midd-West school board reversed its vote late Monday night and approved the $32.85 million plan.
-
Police file attempted homicide charge in baseball bat attack
FREEBURG - A Freeburg man, who allegedly attacked two people less than a week after he was released on bail, is now facing attempted homicide charges, according to police.
- More News Headlines
-
Monroe Township sewing factory may get to rebuild
