By Seamus McGraw
August 1, 2006
SEATTLE,Wash., Crime Library — Conner Schierman, the young man accused of stabbing to death a family of four while in what he described to authorities as an alcohol-induced blackout and then allegedly setting their house ablaze to cover the crime, has pleaded not guilty to four counts of murder and one count of arson.
And while it is still too early to tell precisely what tack the defense will take when the 24-year-old self-described alcoholic stands trial, there are strong suggestions that Schierman's claim that he blacked out after consuming more than two bottles of vodka and could not remember what happened before the crime was discovered will likely figure prominently in the trial.
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| Conner Schierman |
In fact, if recent history in Seattle area courts is any indication, the claim, if a jury believes it, could save Schierman's life.
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| Justin and Andre Milkin |
Prosecutors say they have not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty against Schierman, who remains jailed on $10 million bail. But they have charged him with first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Olga Milkin, 28, her sister, Lyubov Botvina, and Milkin's two sons, ages 5 and 3, on July 17. All four were slaughtered inside Milkin's home. The slayings occurred while Milkin's husband, Leonid, was deployed in Iraq with the Washington National Guard.
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