GEORGETOWN, Del. - A motion to limit evidence presented in Monday's trial for the 2021 killing of Delmar Corporal Keith Heacook, which was previously sealed, is expected to be the focus of an appeal by convicted murderer Randon Wilkerson's defense team.
Lead prosecutor David Hume said a pretrial motion was filed by the Delaware Department of Justice. The motion was sealed until after the trial on Monday. It regarded the defense Wilkerson wanted to present. Stipulations presented in court Monday said Wilkinson used multiple drugs voluntarily and witness statements corroborated that information.
"This isn't me, this is the meth," Wilkerson was heard saying about his behavior, according to a witness statement in court documents.
Courtesy of Paul Boyd.
After the case began moving forward and he was charged, Wilkerson's defense came forward saying he had used bath salts unknowingly.
"There's no indication in the evidence that bath salts were used," Hume said in a press conference following the trial on Monday. "We believe it's pure speculation and without basis."
Hume continued, discussing a Delaware law regarding voluntary and involuntary intoxication. The law says one cannot remove himself from responsibility by being voluntarily intoxicated. Prosecutors said Wilkerson wanted to claim he was involuntarily intoxicated with bath salts and took them by mistake.
"We don't believe that's the case and we don't believe that a defendant can hide from responsibility by taking illegal drugs and claiming he thought he was taking other illegal drugs," Hume said. "It would lead to absurd results."
Judge Karsnitz granted prosecutors' motion to exclude the bath salts claim.
The defense and prosecutors went back and forth about the motion. Once an agreement was made regarding the facts that would be presented as evidence, without the bath salts claim, legal teams did not think the trial would take very long. Because the bath salts argument was sealed and both sides agreed to the remaining facts and evidence as true, there was little left to be argued about in front of a jury. Wilkerson's defense attorney filed for a bench trial in late September.
An appeal is expected to be filed by the defense and is likely to be based on the motion filed to limit evidence, according to Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings. Prosecutors told CoastTV News they are confident the verdict will stand.
Wilkerson's sentencing is set for Dec. 8.
