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Boyfriend Of Woman On Trial In Sons' Murder Says Drugs Changed Her Behavior

POSTED: Monday, January 9, 2006

The boyfriend of a woman accused of killing her twin sons testified Monday that her behavior changed when she started taking anti-depressants, then got worse when her prescription was changed just two days before the boys were killed.

Outside of the courtroom, Anthony Ortiz handed out flyers that read: "Exposing the Truth. Is Your Medication Loaded?" Inside the courtroom, he testified about Leslie Demeniuk's behavior after she began taking a medication called Zoloft.

Ortiz told the jury that Demeniuk was disoriented, forgetful, and easily lost attention in the days and weeks before her two 4-year-olds were shot to death in March 2001.

"She didn't sound right. Something was getting worse. It sounded worse," Ortiz said.

Demeniuk twins
Four-year-old twins Jamie and Johnny.
Ortiz told the jury that she slapped him for no reason a week before the boys were shot, and she punched him the night before he found the boys dead. He said he had asked her to give him back his Zoloft, because he thought she was taking too many.

Ortiz said he still loves Demeniuk.

Also on Monday, prosecutors played the tape of the 911 call Ortiz made when he discovered the boys dead in the Sawgrass Country Club of Demeniuk's father.

Demeniuk wiped away tears as the tape played in the courtroom, describing the scene inside her father's home back in March 2001.

Demeniuk twins dead - 911 tape
Demeniuk's boyfriend called police after finding her twins dead.
VIDEO
Hear 911 Tape
The state said in its opening statement that Demeniuk had a history of drug use, and on the day of the murders she had mixed anti-depressants with alcohol. According to court documents, her blood alcohol was measured just after her arrest at three times the legal limit.

Prosecutors also say Demeniuk killed the boys to hurt their father. The couple's divorce was about to be finalized.

Demeniuk's defense lawyers contend that was insane when she shot and killed her sons -- something no sane mother would ever do. They also say there is evidence in the 911 tape that Demeniuk's medication played a role in what happened to her little boys.

They wanted to present scientific evidence about the interaction of anti-depressants and alcohol, but Judge John Alexander ruled there is not enough documented science to bolster that legal claim -- a decision that was upheld on appeal to the Florida Supreme Court.

Testimony is expected to resume on Tuesday at about 9 a.m. Physiatrists are still expected to testify and talk about what Demeniuk's state of mind was on the day of the shootings.

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