The lawyer for the Purchase woman accused of murdering her teenage daughter indicated Wednesday that they are planning to mount a psychiatric defense. Legal Aid attorney Allan Focarile said he plans to offer evidence that Pagli was not in her right mind when she allegedly strangled her 22 year old daughter Marissa inside the family's apartment on the Manhattanville College campus February 22. Prosecutors said Stacey Pagli initially told police she killed her daughter during an argument saying her daughter was "rude and disrespectful" and that she "had pressed her last button."

Focarile said Pagli's multiple attempted suicides after the killing indicate his client's  troubled mindset. Stacey Pagli is charged with second degree murder but analysts say she could be convicted of a lesser charge of manslaughter if a jury believes she was suffering emotional distress and severe depression at the time of the killing.

Focarile said in court that he has been unable to interview his client's husband, John Pagli. Prosecutor Tim Ward said John Pagli has made it clear that he doesn't want to talk to the defense.

At a previous hearing, John Pagli could be heard shouting at his wife, "You can't even look at me!"