Murder Trial Delayed to Investigate Environmental Toxins

A Kentucky trial was delayed this week pending the outcome of an investigation into the effects environmental toxins may have had on the defendant, who is charged with murder.

Attorneys for defendant Clarence Stiff asked for a postponement while they investigate whether their client was affected by toxins he was exposed to while living near Louisville’s now-closed Black Leaf chemical plant in his youth.

Stiff, who is facing murder charges over the 2010 shooting deaths of Tracia Hernandez and Jason Matthews, lived near the chemical plant, where contaminants associated with nervous system disorders, dizziness, lowered IQ and some forms of cancer have since been discovered.

His lawyers argue that Stiff’s health and mental capacity may have been affected by living near the toxins, a fact which may be used as a mitigating factor during the sentencing phase of his trial if he is convicted.

The trial, which was scheduled to have begun on May 29, is now delayed until February 1.