Cop-Killing CU Bandit Mulls InsanityPlea

WAUKESHA, Wis. - (01/31/05) -- A many convicted with his father adecade ago of a crime spree that included two credit unionrobberies and the murder of a pursuing police officer isconsidering pleading insanity in his retrial scheduled for thisMay. Lawyers for Ted Oswald say the 28-year-old convict, who hasbeen in prison for the past 10 years, is considering a plea ofinsanity based on alleged abuse by his father, who he claimedmanipulated and coerced the then-19-year-old into a life of crimethat culminated with the murder of Waukesha Police Capt. James Lutzafter father-and-son robbed a Bank One branch in April 1994. Oswaldand his father, James Oswald, also robbed Medical Systems CU, inWaukesha, and Landmark CU, in Brookfield, in December 1993. Theyounger Oswald, whose 1995 conviction was overturned because ofjuror bias, is also considering a plea of double jeopardy for the asecond trial on murder charges.