The Illinois man accused of killing his estranged wife with a hatchet in November 2014 entered a no contest plea but will still stand trial to determine if he suffered from mental disease when he killed her.
Cristian Loga-Negru, 39, appeared before Racine County Circuit Court Judge Eugene Gasiorkiewicz Friday to enter his plea to a single felony count of first degree intentional homicide. The additional charges of mayhem and kidnapping were dismissed, according to online court records.
According to his criminal complaint, Loga-Negru on Nov. 21, 2014, tracked Roxana Abrudan, 36, to her boss’ house in Mount Pleasant and attacked her with a hatchet in the yard when she returned from an errand. The couple was separated after Abrudan filed a police report and obtained a restraining order against Loga-Negru. Abrudan had been staying in Mount Pleasant for about a month where she went to hide from Loga-Negru.
Autopsy results show that Abrudan died of “multiple chop wounds and blunt force injuries.” In addition to several deep lacerations to her head, Abrudan suffered broken bones in her face and head, chop wounds to both hands and cuts and bruises on her legs.
Loga-Negru also waived his right to a jury trial and instead will have a bench trial in front of Gasiorkiewicz to determine whether or not he suffered from mental disease the night he killed Abrudan.
During the hearing Friday, Gasiorkiewicz asked Loga-Negru if he understood that if the judge finds that Loga-Negru is fully responsible for his actions that Gasiorkiewicz could sentence him to life in prison, as story in The Journal Times reads.
Loga-Negru answered that he understood, and defense Attorney Pat Cafferty agreed, telling the court his client is competent, the story continues.
The trial about Loga-Negru’s state of mind remains scheduled for July 11.