Lawyers for serial killer argue mental illness defense lacking

<p>Lawyers for a convicted serial killer argued before the state Supreme Court on Wednesday that more mental health evidence should have been presented to the jury in an effort to spare his life.</p><p>Reinaldo Javier Rivera was sentenced to death three years ago for the murder of Fort Gordon soldier Marni Glista over Labor Day weekend in 2000, and seven consecutive life sentences for rape, aggravated sodomy and aggravated assault of other victims in the Augusta area.</p><p>Rivera's attorney argued that more evidence regarding his client's mental illness should have been admitted for the jury to consider during the sentencing phase of the trial. They said Rivera's antics as his own co-counsel sabotaged his defense.</p><p>Attorneys for the state argued that enough evidence regarding Rivera's mental condition was presentend. They also said nothing could have brought a different outcome.</p><p>Rivera posed as a photographer to strike up conversations with young women in eastern Georgia and western South Carolina, then raped and killed them.</p><p>The Supreme Court made no decision in the case, which was heard at the Putnam County Courthouse. The justices, including Hugh P. Thompson of nearby Milledgeville, travel to different locations around the state to hold court at least once every year. The visit helped celebrate the county's bicentennial.</p><p>Students from Gatewood Schools in Eatonton and Piedmont Academy in nearby Monticello filled the courtroom balcony to observe workings of Georgia's legal system.</p><p>In another case, from Gwinnett County, the court heard arguments involving a Gwinnett County public school student, Timothy Bajjani, who was beaten by another student.</p><p>Attorneys for the county school officials argued that they could not be sued by the Bajjani family because they are protected by official immunity.</p><p>The attorney for the family argued that school officials should have contacted 911 to inform police about the fight and to get the student medical assistance.</p><p>The State Court of Gwinnett County dismissed the civil suit against the school system officials on the grounds that they were entitled to official immunity. The decision was reversed by the Court of Appeals.</p><p>___</p><p>HASH(0x1cdc230)</p>