I don't care what you say, just don't say New Jersey!
Man Convicted of Shooting Girlfriend Who He Thought Was About to Say 'New Jersey'
Thursday, February 14, 2002
HOUSTON — A man who has been treated for mental problems faces up to 20 years in prison for shooting his girlfriend because he thought she was about to say "New Jersey."
A jury took less than two hours Wednesday to convict Thomas Ray Mitchell, 54, of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for shooting Barbara Jenkins outside his apartment in March 1999.
Although he did not claim insanity as a defense, relatives testified Wednesday that Mitchell gets angry, curses and bangs on walls when he hears certain words or phrases, including "New Jersey," "Snickers," "Mars" and "Wisconsin."
They said Mitchell had been committed numerous times to mental facilities for periods of three weeks to three months since 1985 but he had never harmed anyone.
On Tuesday, the first day of his trial, Mitchell did not react when the phrase "New Jersey" was uttered twice within his earshot. On Wednesday, he appeared to be holding his ears closed with his fingers when relatives testified about his problems.
Defense attorney Maria Luisa Mercado argued that Mitchell did not understand what he was doing when he was arrested and was asked by police to make a statement about the shooting. Investigators said he told them he shot Jenkins because he thought she was about to say "New Jersey."
Prosecutor Mo Ibrahim said Jenkins died recently. Details were not available, but Ibrahim said her death was not related to the shooting. |
