The man accused of killing another man and his 11-year-old nephew in 2001 took the stand yesterday. According to the Tribune, Stephen Deflaun testified that nearly 50 years of hearing voices in his head “broke his spirit” and made life “hell.” He’s accused of shooting Stephen Wells and Jerry Rios Jr. in 2001 during an argument over a camping space at Morro Strand State Beach. He’s entered pleas of not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity to each charge. He had been deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial until last year.
