CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Maine — A South Portland man accused of killing a Westbrook couple in front of their young children was court-ordered to get additional cognitive testing after pleading not guilty, claiming insanity.
Marcel LaGrange is facing six charges, including two counts of murder and one count of aggravated attempted murder.
Justice Deborah Cashman ordered a neuropsychological evaluation after attorneys argued in court Wednesday whether or not the test was necessary.
"That should be fully flushed out of whether he had those cognitive limitations at the time that he's alleged to have committed these crimes," Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Ackerman, said.
Ackerman argued additional neuropsychological testing is critical to ensure LaGrange meets all of the requirements for an insanity plea.
A report from State Forensic Services conducted a "criminal responsibility report" where Dr. Debra Baeder suggested LaGrange had cognitive issues, like perceptual reasoning and short-term memory. However, that report is based on a neuropsychological evaluation from when he was a teenager, Ackerman said.
Ackerman believes the state is entitled to request a new test, but the defense argued it crosses a line.
"We think he has been ordered to do enough. We think the evaluation that was done by state forensics Dr. Baeder is thorough," Defense Attorney Tina Nadeau, said.
Nadeau argued the initial report was enough since State Forensic Services didn't ask for additional psychological testing.
Once the evaluation is complete, the defense will access it for initial review. The court will determine whether or not it will also be shared with the prosecutors.