An alleged serial killer who prosecutors say has confessed in the deaths of eight Peoria area women, burning some of the bodies to ash and bone, is fit to stand trial, a judge ruled Friday.
Defense attorneys did not contest the findings of Springfield forensic psychologist Terry Killian, who determined after an hour-long evaluation last month that Larry Bright, 38, understands the first-degree murder charges against him and can aid in his defense.
James Elmore, one of Bright's court-appointed attorneys, said the 55-page report only addresses fitness, not Bright's mental state at the time of the killings. He said the defense will seek a more comprehensive psychological exam if the case goes to trial.
Bright sat quietly as Peoria County Circuit Judge James Shadid handed down the ruling. Elmore said the accused killer is "very contrite" and cried in his holding cell before Friday's brief hearing.
"I think the guy's got a soul. He's not without conscience," Elmore said.
Prosecutors say the former concrete worker has confessed to killing eight women since mid-2003, dumping half of the bodies along country roads and burning the others for up to two days in backyard pits then hiding the remains.
Prosecutors have declined to discuss a motive but have said Bright, who is white, had a "peculiar attachment" to black women, including sex and *advertiser censored*. All the women were black and led what authorities have called questionable lifestyles, including prostitution or drug use.
http://www.pantagraph.com/stories/072305/new_20050723030.shtml
