Lawyers: Man accused of killing family has brain injury

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) – Lawyers say a Florida man accused of killing his wife and five children in 2009 suffers from a traumatic brain injury.

Mesac Damas of North Naples is charged with first-degree murder and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. The trial has been delayed by competency issues, though a judge in October deemed Damas competent after he completed mental health treatment.

In Collier County court documents obtained by the Naples Daily News, Damas’ attorneys wrote that the 39-year-old had not only the traumatic brain injury but also a long history of mental illness that began during his childhood in Haiti. They also said they had evidence of “serious family dysfunction,” abuse and mental illness among Damas’ relatives.

In an interview, defense attorney James Ermacora declined to elaborate on Damas’ injury.