Ohio man pleads insane after fatal stabbing at Nebraska rest stop

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — An Elyria man charged with first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of a couple at an Interstate 80 rest stop in Nebraska has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

James Thompson Jr., 22, entered a guilty plea Tuesday, the Lincoln Journal Star reported.

Thompson also faces charges of attempted murder, attempted robbery, evading arrest and possession of multiple weapons. in the June 19 attack on Gary Weaver, 72, and his wife, Mary Weaver, 71, both of Eureka, Missouri.

Investigators said witnesses reported hearing Thompson demand the keys to a Jeep that was being towed behind the Weavers’ van before he stabbed them both at a rest area near Grand Island. Both were seriously injured, and Gary Weaver later died from his injuries in hospital.

Investigators said part of the attack was captured on the trucker’s dash cam. Police said Thompson left the rest area in the car and a Nebraska State Trooper later spotted him at the I-80 exit at nearby Wood River. A chase ensued and investigators say Thompson sped off at 120 mph (193 km/h) before crashing into the Platte River. He was arrested nearby with blood on his shirt and several cuts on his arm, police said.

Thompson’s public defender had previously raised questions about his client’s mental health, but Thompson was found competent to stand trial on Oct. 1.

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