Victim's son refutes 'Red Bull' defense

TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. - Thomas Coffeen misses his 83-year-old dad. He's no longer here.

Thomas' brother Stephen confessed to killing their father by smothering him with a pillow two years ago.

"It was just horrid…horrible, I do not wish that on anybody," Coffeen said.

Now, Thomas is coping with the news his brother may be found not guilty by reason of insanity.

Stephen Coffeen's attorney, George Tragos, says a combination of exhaustion and Red Bull led his client to have a psychotic break.

"I don't put a defense on that I don't believe in," Tragos explained.

The reasoning for an insanity defense infuriates Thomas.

"It's crap," Coffeen said. "I don't even think the man even drank Red Bull. They can not 100% tell me he did not know what he was doing."

But, in a rare decision, even the prosecution's psychiatrists think an insanity defense may be appropriate.

This is Tragos’ second high profile case using insanity. He is also representing Arunya Rouch, the former Publix employee accused of gunning down a co-worker in the parking lot.

In court papers, Tragos said his client was humiliated and embarrassed after she had been fired for threatening co-worker Greg Janowski.

"These people are insane," Tragos explained.

In truth, it's a rare defense. According to statistics, it's used in less than one percent of the time and works for just one-quarter of those defendants.

But, Tragos likely won't be the only attorney trying the defense in some of the Bay areas most high profile cases.
There is already speculation about a recent high profile shooting that has stunned the world.

"I think most mental health workers would guess there was some type of kind of psychotic break that occurred," said Dr. Sheila Katt-Beck, who was referring to Julie Schnecker.

Schnecker is the Tampa mom who is behind bars for killing her own children Calyx and Beau.
The doctor said sometimes the public needs to hear someone snapped to try and cope with such a horrific crime.

Thomas Coffeen, sees it as an excuse in his brothers case.

"I just want justice to be served and I don't think the state is doing it for me."