Trial begins today for a Northern Kentucky accused of killing his wife and his lawyers will be claiming an unusual defense-saying the violence is the result of sleep deprivation. Woody Smith of Dayton, Kentucky is accused of strangling his wife Amanda in their home in May of last year.
His attorney tells Local 12 they will claim the violence happened due to insanity brought on by lack of sleep. Smith was reportedly having trouble sleeping because he was worried his wife would leave him. His attorney says he was taking large amounts of caffeine pills and drinking energy drinks to get him through the day.
Police records show that Smith learned about his wife's extra-marital affair and confronted her just before her death. After her murder, Smith was hospitalized for an overdose of prescription pills.
He's been behind bars on a million dollars bond since then.
The couple had two young children.
