A Washoe County district judge plans to begin a murder trial Monday for a 74-year-old Sparks man who claims he was acting in self-defense when he fatally shot a trespasser in a vacant duplex.
Judge Patrick Flanagan said after more than two hours of hearing arguments from prosecutors and Wayne Burgarello's lawyer Thursday morning that he'll resume the hearing at 2 p.m.
But Flanagan says he intends to rule by the end of the day on a half-dozen motions, including defense arguments that Burgarello's stroke-induced mental deficiency undermines his ability to testify in his own defense.
The judge said he's seen no evidence suggesting Burgarello lacks the competency necessary to stand trial in the February 2014 killing of Cody Devine and wounding of Janai Wilson in the abandoned home Burgarello owns. (AP)
