Woman accused in deadly crash pleads not guilty by insanity

Early was diagnosed with “unspecified schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorder.”

  • By Wire Service
  • Wednesday, May 15, 2019 3:00pm
  • Northwest

Associated Press

TACOMA — A Washington state woman charged with vehicular homicide after a deadly crash last year has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

Defense attorney Michael Stewart told the Pierce County Superior Court on Tuesday that Win Gikonyo, 26, was suffering from hallucinations when she crashed into the car driven by Marianne Burton, 60.

The News Tribune reported that Burton died at the scene of the Tacoma crash in April 2018.

A state hospital psychologist earlier this month diagnosed Gikonyo with “unspecified schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorder.”

Authorities say that blood tests showed Gikonyo wasn’t intoxicated when she drove faster than 100 mph before crashing.

In a letter read in court by Stewart, Gikonyo apologized to Burton’s family, saying she hoped they could forgive her one day.

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