Christopher Plaskon, the 17-year-old Milford boy accused of killing classmate Maren Sanchez at Jonathan Law High School in April, will be in court tomorrow, but his lawyers said no additional information is expected to surface.
“We are back in Milford tomorrow for a status conference,” Attorney Richard Meehan said in an email to the press. “This will be a repeat of the last court appearance as both sides continue their pre-trial investigations. There is no further information to provide to you at this point.”
Plaskon last appeared in court in July. At that appearance, an attorney representing the father of Maren Sanchez was in court to say that Jose Sanchez will fight for justice in the wake of his daughter’s death.
Maren Sanchez was a junior at Jonathan Law High School when she was stabbed to death at school on April 25, what would have been the day of her prom. Christopher Plaskon, now 17, is charged with her murder, but has pled not guilty.
In July, Plaskon’s attorneys said they were collecting information and reading the investigation and reports compiled by the Milford Police Department, as well as other information, which Meehan described as “voluminous.”
Previously Meehan said they intend to pursue a defense based on their client’s mental status. Meehan, speaking to reporters outside the courthouse that day, said there are three avenues for that kind of defense: Extreme emotional disturbance, diminished capacity and the insanity plea.
As they continue to review the material they’ve received, the lawyers will determine their defense strategy. The case will be presented to a three-judge panel, rather than a traditional jury, because Plaskon’s lawyers said they think judges will be better equipped to understand issues surrounding mental illness.
Plaskon is being held at the Manson Youth Institute in Cheshire on $3-million bond. His lawyers have described him as a “sad and sorrowful youngster,” and said he was on a number of medications, including anti-psychotic and anxiety medication.
State’s Attorney Kevin Lawlor said in July that Maren’s mother and father, who are divorced, have each retained counsel and are being kept informed about the proceedings.
“The victim’s families have a constitutional right to be part of the process,” Lawlor said.
Sources say that Plaskon stabbed Maren because she was not going to the prom with him.
An autopsy report states that Maren died of stab wounds to the trunk and neck, and her death was ruled a homicide.