Raissa Kengne Claims Psychotic Breakdown in Midtown Shooting Trial
Raissa Kengne, 34, was arrested at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport shortly after the fatal shootings of Michael Shinners, 60, and Wesley Freeman, 41, in Midtown on August 22, 2022. During the incident, Kengne also shot and injured a third man, Mike Horne, and took a young woman hostage before fleeing to the airport in a taxi. Kengne's defense attorney argued that she experienced a psychotic breakdown and did not intend to kill the victims. This claim was presented to a Fulton County jury, which is tasked with determining her guilt in the murder charges. The defense suggested that Kengne's actions stemmed from a mental health crisis rather than malicious intent. The prosecution characterized the shootings as deliberate acts of violence, emphasizing the severity of the situation. Kengne's attorney highlighted her psychological state, seeking to provide context for her behavior during the incident. The trial has drawn significant attention, with discussions surrounding mental health and accountability in criminal cases. As the jury deliberates, the case raises important questions about the intersection of mental illness and the law.
