
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 22, 1990                   TAG: 9003222202
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: ELIZABETH, N.J.                                LENGTH: Short

MENTAL ILLNESS CITED BY DEFENSE IN KILLINGS

John E. List will argue he is innocent of fatally shooting his family 18 years ago because of his mental condition at the time, the judge presiding over his trial said Wednesday.

Superior Court Judge William L'E. Wertheimer made the comment to prospective jurors on the second day of jury selection. It was the first explicit reference to the defense of List, who had since settled near Richmond, Va.

A key issue is whether Wertheimer should admit into the case a letter left by List for his Lutheran minister before disappearing.

Officers found the letter when they forced their way into their Westfield home in December 1971 and discovered the bodies of List's wife, mother and three children.

Police said the letter, which has never been released, indicates List felt his family was falling away from their religion and that members had to die for their own salvation.

- Associated Press

by CNB