Mental Health Expert Testifies in Teen Murder Trial

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Testimony is wrapping up in the attempted murder trial of Florida teenager Wayne Treacy, who’s claiming insanity in a 2010 kicking and stomping attack on a 15-year-old girl.

Prosecutors are expected Friday to call a mental health expert to rebut the insanity defense.

Defense experts testified that Treacy’s assault on Josie Lou Ratley because of post-traumatic stress disorder triggered by his brother’s suicide.

The defense must show jurors Treacy couldn’t tell right from wrong.

The violence at a middle school bus loop came after Ratley made reference to the brother’s death in a series of vulgar and insulting text messages between the two.

Ratley nearly died and has permanent brain injuries.

Treacy faces a maximum 50-year prison sentence if convicted of attempted first-degree murder.