Watch CBS News

Thompson Defense Could Rest On Friday

DENVER (CBS4)- Defense attorneys continued to present their case of a man accused of kidnapping a girl and assaulting her in West Denver two years ago. Police said Bret Thompson confessed but he has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

A doctor who evaluated Thompson testified on Thursday. He told the court that based on his clinical assessment and his expertise, he was able to determine that Thompson suffers from chronic depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and is disconnected from reality.

He also testified that Thompson was likely insane at the time of the kidnapping and sexual assault.

When prosecutors questioned the doctor they pointed out that he is new to diagnosing disorders. The doctor agreed saying his expertise in that area is low.

The 10-year-old girl who was kidnapped from a Denver neighborhood in 2011 told a courtroom on Tuesday that she was forced to undress and was sexually assaulted during the incident.

Kidnapping Case
An image of the scene where the girl was found in 2011 (credit: CBS)

The June 2, 2011, incident ended when the girl, who was 9 at the time, was found at a gas station on Federal Boulevard approximately 90 minutes after she was reported missing. After a nationwide manhunt, police found Thompson sleeping in his van in New Jersey and arrested him.

Last summer Thompson, 29, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the kidnapping and sexual assault charges he faces.

During Thursday's proceedings, Thompson appeared to fall asleep. The judge stopped proceedings so he could ask Thompson's attorneys to wake up their client.

During opening statements Tuesday the defense described Thompson's childhood to the jury as "broken and seriously disturbed." His attorney said Thompson was sexually abused as a young boy and was in and out of foster care as well as mental hospitals.

The defense claims Thompson is not guilty by reason of insanity. They said he suffers from dissociative identity disorder, or multiple personality disorder, and doesn't know right from wrong.

Thompson's foster mother has pleaded guilty to perjury in the case. Prosecutors accused Sylvia Luckett of lying to police to help Thompson flee as police investigated him in connection with the assault.

Luckett took the stand on Wednesday and described Thompson's childhood before he came to live with her.

The defense still has more people on their list to take the stand. The jury could have the case Friday afternoon depending on how long their testimony lasts.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.