A mental-health expert testified Tuesday that a homeless woman who is charged with killing four people in an arson fire did not comprehend her acts to be criminal.
Dr. Peter Lourgos, a forensic psychiatrist with the county court who testified for the defense, said he based his opinion on Mary Smith’s long schizophrenic history and the videotape of her interview with police.
On the second day of Smith’s murder trial for the 2007 deaths in a Wrigleyville apartment building fire, her lawyer contended that Smith was legally insane when the fire occurred and continues to suffer from severe mental illness.
“Even as she sits here today on medication, at her very best, she remains insane,” said Smith’s attorney, Jacqueline Ross, at the bench trial before Circuit Judge James Linn.
One witness testified Wednesday that Smith had been seen in the building at 3553 N. Fremont St. shortly before the fire that killed three men and one woman.
