Alleged Caffeine-Induced Murder

(Newport, Kentucky) A 33-year-old Kentucky man, Woody Will Smith, is on trial for allegedly killing his wife, Amanda Hornsby-Smith, in May 2009.

He is accused of strangling his wife with an extension cord.

Smith's defense in the case is that he was suffering from caffeine-induced insanity caused by taking diet pills and energy drinks.

A legal strategy invoking caffeine intoxication is unusual but has succeeded at least once before, in a case involving a man cleared in 2009 of charges of running down and injuring two people with a car in Washington state.

Prosecutors say their expert may testify there's no evidence Smith consumed the caffeine the defense claims left him without memory of crucial events.

Closing arguments in the trial are to be presented today.


[Update 9/24/10 post, 1130 PM]

(Dayton, Kentucky) The caffeine defense didn't work. Woody Will Smith was convicted of strangling his wife. His jury will now decide his punishment, 20-50 years or life in prison.