CHANDLER, Ariz. — It has been more than three years since investigators first found Amy Leagan’s remains around the Valley. Now, a change in the suspect’s defense is delaying the case even further.
Timothy Sullivan is accused of killing Leagans, who was his roommate, back in October 2020. Investigators said he hid her body parts around the Valley. He has now been in custody for three years after being charged with her murder.
Records show Sullivan initially confessed to killing Leagans after his arrest but later plead not guilty before changing to a Guilty Except Insane defense this fall.
In a hearing Wednesday, Sullivan confirmed to the judge that he understood what it meant to pursue the defense of Guilty Except Insane, or GEI, and wanted to proceed.
Sullivan's defense claims he’s been living with a traumatic brain injury for years and didn't know what he was doing when he killed Leagans.
Prosecutors were skeptical and said his injury never came up before in Sullivan’s extensive criminal history and other prior convictions, including aggravated assault for beating up a different woman.
Now, prosecutors can have their own evaluation done.
There are very few cases that meet the criteria for GEI. Maricopa County Superior Court data shows less than 1% of cases last year met that designation.
If someone is found Guilty Except Insane, they’ll be sentenced to Arizona’s State Hospital for treatment instead of going to prison.
In Sullivan’s case, he will still go to trial and it will up to a jury to determine whether or not he is GEI.
In July 2020, before she was killed, Leagans called for help after saying Sullivan tried to beat her up.
At the time, Sullivan was on probation for aggravated assault and already racked up numerous probation violations.
Chandler police closed the case and a few months later, Leagans was murdered.
"It’s not just about our family," Lori Porth, Leagans sister, told 12News in October. "We’re advocating for women in general. We want to make sure that the victim is advocated for, so that no one else ever has to go through this with this particular person."
Porth said she and her family have been disappointed and frustrated with all the delays in the case and are relying on faith and patience that the trial will move forward next year.
Her family said Leagans would have turned 53 later this week.