The State - News from Jan. 6, 1989

A man who allegedly suffered from psychosis triggered by cough medicine addiction and a fall from bed was convicted of second-degree murder in the shooting death of his best friend. James George Sussman, 39, faces 15 years to life in prison for the slaying last year of George Moore, 50, at Sussman’s Los Gatos home. The sanity phase of Sussman’s trial in Santa Clara County Superior Court will begin Monday. The prosecution contended Sussman killed Moore during a lover’s quarrel. But defense attorney Pat Tondreau said the men were not lovers, and that Sussman had a “psychotic delusional episode” in which he thought he had to kill Moore to prevent the world from ending. Tondreau said the episode was brought on by a high level of dextromethorphan, an active ingredient in some cough syrups, and a blow to the head when Sussman fell out of bed shortly before the shooting.