ATLANTA — The man accused of planning to open fire with a rifle at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is planning on using an insanity defense in his case.
Billy Joe Cagle’s attorneys appeared in federal court on Thursday for a pretrial conference hearing. According to documents filed on Dec. 1, Cagle’s attorneys plan to use an insanity defense.
Cagle was arrested in October at Hartsfield-Jackson after his family reported to police that he intended to go to the airport and open fire.
He was unarmed when he was arrested inside the airport terminal. Police believe Cagle left his gun in his truck initially so he could plan his attack.
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“We take the allegations against Mr. Cagle very seriously, but we also take this thing called the U.S. Constitution very seriously,” said Preston Haliburton, Cagle’s defense attorney. “We take due process very seriously. Part of due process is a complete and full mental health evaluation, so that’s what we’re seeking.”
“Mr. Cagle was suffering from a mental, psychological, and/or psychiatric condition that would render Mr. Cagle not guilty of the above counts by reason of insanity,” Cagle’s attorneys said in a court document.
The document goes on to say that “Cagle’s mental condition has presented itself as episodic, with periods of stability and instability.”
Upon his arrest, family members told investigators that he had mental challenges in the past.
“He needs to be evaluated for what is his mental state was at the time of this incident and also his mental state and his ability to assist counsel with trial,” said defense attorney Konrad Ziegler. “He has an extensive history with in-patient hospitalization and numerous mental health issues, and we want to make sure those get addressed appropriately.”
Cagle was arraigned last month on federal charges and pleaded not guilty.