Local News in Brief : Fullerton : Pawnbroker Says He Can’t Recall Shootings

Fullerton pawnshop owner Victor Pahl testified in Superior Court this week that he was not consciously aware of shooting his wife or her lawyer in a confrontation at his place of business over divorce proceedings.

Pahl said he “snapped, or blacked out,” just before firing at his wife, Deanna Stone, 26, and her lawyer, William Murphy Swain, 30, according to Pahl’s attorney, William Yacobozzi Jr.

Pahl, 47, is charged with two counts of attempted murder in the May 6, 1985, shooting and could face up to 14 years in prison if convicted on both counts. He is free on $75,000 bail.

Pahl’s testimony supported the earlier testimony of three defense-called psychiatrists “that he had no (conscious) intent to kill, and certainly no intent to cause harm,” Yacobozzi said.

Stone had filed divorce papers against Pahl three days before the shooting, and she and Swain were taking inventory of Pahl’s shop to determine her “fair share,” she said in testimony last month.

The defense rested on Wednesday, and the trial, which began Oct. 12 before Judge James J. Alfano, is expected to end next week.