LAFAYETTE — The suspect accused of fatally stabbing his roommate last month in their Purdue University dorm plans to use an insanity defense in court, records show.
A motion to determine Ji Min Sha's competency to stand trial was filed last week in the case against him, according to online court records.
WRTV has requested a copy of the filing.
Sha is being held without bond in the murder of Varun Manish Chheda, who officials have said was attacked without provocation.
If convicted of murder, Sha could face 45-65 years in prison.
Sha, an international student from Korea, reported Chheda's death to police himself shortly after he stabbed him to death, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Purdue University police found Chheda dead shortly after 12:44 a.m. Oct. 5 as they responded to McCutcheon Hall after Sha called 911.
When officers arrived, they found Cheda dead and sitting in a chair and Sha with what appeared to be blood on his clothing and body.
There was also a folding knife on the floor, which Sha later admitted was his. He told police he used the knife to kill Chheda while he was sitting in the chair where police found him, according to the affidavit.
An autopsy found Chheda died from "multiple sharp force trauma" injuries to his head and neck. His death was ruled a homicide.
Following the stabbing, Sha appeared in court and offered an apology to Chheda's family, saying "I am very sorry" and "I was blackmailed."
As of Monday, a trial date had not been scheduled for Sha. He is, however, scheduled to appear for a hearing on Dec. 2.
-
President-elect Donald Trump picks Rep. Matt Gaetz to be next attorney general
President-elect Donald Trump picked Rep. Matt Gaetz to be the next attorney general. Gaetz submitted a letter of resignation to the House on Wednesday.
2 dead and others hurt after explosion at a business in Louisville, Kentucky
Two workers were killed in a massive explosion at a commercial facility in Louisville, Kentucky, Tuesday afternoon – the same site where a deadly blast happened over two decades ago.
Indianapolis Opera pays homage to its past with ‘The Barber of Seville’
The Indianapolis Opera will present Rossini's “The Barber of Seville” later this month. It is the most performed opera in the company's history.
Caitlin Clark swaps three-pointers for par threes at LPGA event
Basketball fans are used to seeing Caitlin Clark produce out of this world feats on an almost nightly basis, but Wednesday served as an important reminder that the phenom is human after all.
