Former Cop Will Use ‘Zoloft Defense’ In Disturbing Rape Case
Former southern California police detective Anthony Nicholas Orban will use a ‘Zoloft defense” as his lawyer attempts to defend him against the kidnapping and rape of a 25-year-old waitress who he took at gunpoint.
A judge ruled that Orban’s lawyers could argue that Anthony was mentally “unconscious” and “totally unaware of his actions” because of strange effects the antidepressant had on his brain.
In rushing to his clients defense his attorney claims:
“But for the use of Zoloft, Mr. Orban would not have committed these acts. Here you have a police officer and former Marine who for the last 10 years has been dedicated to protecting his country and protecting his community. This was totally out of character.”
The defense will have to convince a jury that the extremely violent crime was not a conscious event. The victim has already taken the stand and testified that Orban punched her in the face then stuck the barrel of his gun in her mouth before snapping photos of her with his own iPhone. At one point Orban is alleged to have told his victim “smile for the camera.”
Orban is pleading “not guilty by reason of unconsciousness” and if that defense fails he could find himself spending the rest of his life behind bars, not the most comfortable place to live out your life as a former police officer.
If found not guilty this case could set a dangerous precedent for other rapists who choose to take Zoloft and then use it as a defense against their own actions.
Tags : Anthony Nicholas Orban, california, Rape Case, zoloft, Zoloft Defense
Posted: May 18, 2012
![Howard Stern’s New Mansion Worth $52 Million [Report]](http://cdn.inquisitr.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Howard-Stern-Mansion-100x100.jpg)
![Kanye SNL Rant Makes For Interesting Season Finale [Video]](http://cdn.inquisitr.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Kanye-West-Goes-On-An-SNL-Rant-At-Adult-Swim-Party-100x100.jpg)
![Deployed Soldier Returns Home, Surprises Daughter During Tampa Bay Rays First Pitch [Video]](http://cdn.inquisitr.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/deployed-soldier-surprises-daughter-rays-game-video-100x100.jpg)
May 18, 2012
I think this is a bunch of crock…he needs to be punished for what he did.
May 18, 2012
R u kidding?!? Thats y ppl keep doing crazy stuff cuz they keep getting away with it!!!
May 18, 2012
If that's the best the defense can come up with, you might as well just plead guilty.
May 18, 2012
Well, the Twinkie Defense worked for Dan White…..let's see how this plays out.
May 18, 2012
FYI: He was found guilty of manslaughter…not first degree murder.
May 18, 2012
WOW!
May 18, 2012
That's as bad as everyone using their childhood as an excuse to commit crimes…
May 18, 2012
This is nothing new. Progressives have trained two generations of narcissists to believe they are owed everything they want at no cost to them, and that they couldn't possibly be responsible for their actions. It's always someone elses fault.
This is what you get America. A godless pack of selfabsorbed boobs playing out their fantasies at the expense of anyone and everyone. You made your bed, now you're lying in it.
May 18, 2012
Oh my god! Some people need zoloft. I take it and it helps my mental state. if this had an adverse effect on him why wasnt the doctor told? I think its a bunch crap.
May 18, 2012
Why is the lawyer so sure that this is out of character for his client? Maybe he doesn't know everything about him.
May 18, 2012
That's true, but the whole "twinkie" defense was so ridiculous and that's what got the charge reduced from murder to manslaughter. I'm just saying that this could be something similar….people will do anything to accept personal responsibility.
May 18, 2012
That's true, but the whole "twinkie" defense was so ridiculous and that's what got the charge reduced from murder to manslaughter. I'm just saying that this could be something similar….people will do anything to keep from accept personal responsibility.
May 18, 2012
Agreed!
May 18, 2012
Oh hell no.
May 18, 2012
lock him up in uniform!
May 18, 2012
It's bullshit. I've been prescribed zoloft, and also had friends on it for various reasons. It doesn't affect you nearly in the way the defense is describing. I't would be like blaming a rape on a chocolate bar you ate.
May 18, 2012
There is no freakin way! I really hope he loses, so assholes across america don't think it's okay. What a jerk move! Antidepressants are supposed to be regulated under a Doctor's care, no doubt they're going to bring that up and try to pin it on him/her. JUST because some useless person couldn't control himself over a woman. Sometimes you guys really piss me off, just sayin….
May 18, 2012
wha a shame.
May 18, 2012
What? My mom is on Zoloft it has the opposite affect on her. She is an angry old lady without it.
May 19, 2012
total crap!!! Hi love
May 19, 2012
that's utter bull..im on zoloft and I haven't tried taht besided zoloft causes your sex drive to decrease..
May 22, 2012
Maybe he was unconscious and having flash backs of his behavior while on tour in Iraq.US service men did a lot of rapping at gun point over there.It's really like second nature for inlisted men to rape that's just part of what they do every where they go there's reports and charges of rape.Oh he was aware alright.And even if he wasn't he still raped the girl.If I was drunk driving and blacked out while doing so resulting in fatal accident killing someone would I not be charged for 1degree vehicular homicide because I was unconscious at the time? I don't think so. Stop spending money on this, the verdict is in already he's guilty as charged.Him being conscious or not has nothing to do with whether or not an atrocious crime as been perpetrated on a tax paying citizen indoctrinated to believe that the police and US service men job is to protect her.As they are held to a higher standard of awareness and conduct most definitely he should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.