May 5, 2008, 10:57PM

Jury is told that the man's mental state was to blame for the death of Rodney Johnson

By BRIAN ROGERS
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

Juan Leonardo Quintero was insane during the few minutes he shot a Houston police officer, a psychologist told jurors Monday as Quintero's defense team laid the groundwork to show that he is not guilty of capital murder by reason of insanity.

"This individual, at the time of the incident, was obviously insane," said Antonio Puente, a psychology expert who said he believes the 34-year-old defendant was unable to determine right from wrong because of a mental disorder or defect.

Puente said an "animal-like syndrome" at the time of the shooting rendered Quintero unable to think or even process thought.

The psychologist said Quintero's mental state — caused by "a perfect storm" of brain damage, anxiety and lack of self-medication — led the landscaper to kill officer Rodney Johnson during a traffic stop on Sept. 21, 2006.

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