Accused Was Insane,
Psychiatrist States
BISBEE (AP) - A Tucson psychiatrist has testified that Michael Cagle, accused of the May
20 murder of his wife, Jamie Lynn Cagle, was legally insane at
the time of the act. But the conclusion of David Gurland was disputed Friday by another
Tucson psychiatrist who also examined Cagle. Jacob Hoogerbeels said while he agreed
with most of Gurland's analysis, Cagle was not insane by Arizona legal standards at
the time of the act. Gurland said when Cagle's wife moved toward him with a knife he
entered
a psychotic state "unable to comprehend reality. At the lime of the incident it is my
opinion that Mr. Cagle was not fully aware he was actually harming his wife until some
time after the act."
Gurland said during cross-examination that Cagle showed no sign of having psychosis before
or after the incident. He said the psychosis lasted about an hour, ending prior lo
Cagle's
admitted dismemberment of the victim. The jury also heard defense witness William
McMurray, a friend of Cagle's in Missouri, contend he saw Mrs. Cagle try to put out a
cigarette in
Cagle's eye in Kansas City in 1976. Hazel Morgan, a former neighbor of Cagle's in
Kansas City, said she heard Mrs. Cagle "calling Mike all kinds of names" one
night in the early summer
of 1976. She said she looked through Cagle's front window and "I saw her with
something in her hand which she was trying lo hit him with. I can't be sure but I
think it was a knife."
Cochise County Superior Court Judge Lloyd C. Helm recessed the trial until Tuesday after
the defense rested its case.
Cagle, 20, of Sierra Vista, said Thursday his wife, also 20, was planning to leave him and
go to Colorado with a neighbor. The night before the planned trip Cagle said he was trying
to
sleep because he had to work early next day. He said his wife was keeping him awake
despite his having taken numerous pills and drinking beer. Cagle said he gave her all his
money
except for about $14. Cagle said when she attempted to remove money from a bedroom desk,
she tried to push him away and then jabbed at him with a steak knife. He then grabbed her
and strangled her. "I just couldn't stop." he said