Seattle doctor pleads guilty to killing son, partner

SEATTLE — A Seattle doctor has admitted to fatally stabbing his son and his longtime partner in August 2011.

Dr. Louis Chen pleaded guilty Thursday to first-degree murder in the death of 2 1/2-year-old Cooper Chen and second-degree murder in the death of Eric Cooper, 29. Their bodies were found inside the family’s condo in the First Hill neighborhood.

Seattlepi.com reported that a doctor hired by the defense claimed Chen suffered a psychotic episode because of an over-the-counter cold medicine. State mental health workers found Chen competent to stand trial.

The 43-year-old endocrinologist was initially charged with aggravated first-degree murder but pleaded guilty in King County Superior Court to reduced charges.

Defense attorney Todd Maybrown said in court that Chen was mentally ill when he killed his family.

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