Man Pleads Insanity in 2 Office Killings

A computer technician who stormed his former office and fatally shot two executives pleaded guilty to murder Wednesday but contends he was insane during his rampage.

A trial was scheduled for June 15 to determine whether Larry Thomas Hansel, 41, was sane when he terrorized the Elgar Corp. office in June, 1991, armed with a shotgun, a pistol and homemade bombs. He has pleaded insanity.

Superior Court Judge Herbert Exarhos warned Hansel, 41, that he faces life in prison without parole if a jury finds him sane. Even if found not guilty by way of insanity, Hansel would be committed to a mental hospital until doctors approve his release, and might be held for life, the judge said.

Hansel’s attorney, Alex Loebig, told reporters his client was “psychotic.” Hansel’s rampage was caused by a delusion that the office was overrun by communists, Loebig said.