Suspect in alleged Atlanta airport mass shooting plot seeks insanity defense

Billy Joe Cagle, who has pleaded not guilty, is being held without bond after the alleged shooting plot was thwarted by police on the scene at the airport in October.

Defense attorneys are preparing “the defense of insanity at the time of the alleged offenses,” according to court filings.

“Mr. Cagle was suffering from a mental, psychological, and/or psychiatric condition that would render Mr. Cagle not guilty … by reason of insanity.

Previous hearings have touched on Cagle’s current and past mental health evaluations. Federal prosecutors have said that Cagle’s past mental health history includes him suffering from both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, while also not complying with his medications and having a history of substance abuse challenges.

Read more: WXIA (Atlanta, GA)