In a case that has shaken the Scranton community, the defense attorney for a man accused of a fatal shooting at a Lowe’s store is preparing to argue that his client should not be held responsible due to mental health issues. Christopher Wasnetsky, charged with the murder of his coworker Jeffrey Moeller, reportedly suffers from multiple brain disorders that his lawyer claims affect his culpability.
Joseph McGraw, Wasnetsky’s attorney, has filed a court notice indicating that his client was afflicted with depression, schizoid disorder, and spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 at the time of the incident. McGraw asserts that these conditions rendered Wasnetsky incapable of understanding his actions when he shot Moeller on June 14 at the Lowe’s store located near Viewmont Mall. The duration of Wasnetsky’s struggle with these disorders remains unspecified, according to McGraw’s filing.
The Disorders Explained
Depression is a serious mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, often accompanied by a loss of interest in daily activities and energy, with the potential for suicidal thoughts, according to the American Psychiatric Association.
The Mayo Clinic describes schizoid disorder as a condition where individuals exhibit limited interest in social interactions and have difficulty expressing emotions.
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 is a genetic disorder that affects the nerve fibers responsible for transmitting messages to the brain, as detailed by the National Ataxia Foundation.
Scranton Police Department
Prosecution’s Stance
The defense’s intention to use a mental health defense was formally submitted to county court on February 13, a requirement under state law for such defense claims. District Attorney Brian Gallagher has expressed his intention to contest this defense strategy, stating, “We believe that this was premeditated and the evidence that we have shows that.”
Details of the Incident
Charged with first- and third-degree murder, Wasnetsky has been in custody awaiting trial. According to an arrest affidavit, Wasnetsky himself reported the incident to 911, stating, “I would like to report a shooting at the … Lowe’s. I was the person that did it.”
The affidavit further reveals that Wasnetsky purchased a handgun a week prior to the shooting, with the intention of targeting Moeller, whom he accused of harassment over several months. He allegedly shot Moeller in the chest and then twice in the head when Moeller pleaded for help to avoid suffering.
Family photo via GoFundMe
In December, Keisha Moeller launched a lawsuit against Lowe’s, claiming that the company failed to act on warnings and prevent the “entirely preventable” incident. The lawsuit alleges that managers overlooked Wasnetsky’s growing animosity towards Moeller, despite his explicit expressions of anger and mental distress.
While Lowe’s has not specifically addressed the lawsuit, the company reiterated its commitment to employee and customer safety as the “top priority.”
