Dad Charged in NJ Attack to Use Insanity Defense

A man who allegedly attacked his wife and adult daughter in the family's northwestern New Jersey home this summer has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder charges.

Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony Kearns III said Monday that 48-year-old David Alonso of Bloomsbury has agreed to a nonjury trial. Kearns says his office will seek a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity.

Alonso does not remember the June 13 attacks against his 50-year-old wife, Debra Alonso, and the couple's 24-year-old Maloril Alonso. Authorities say David Alonso assaulted the pair, then beat himself with a blunt object.

All three suffered serious head injuries and were hospitalized for several weeks, but have since been released.

Relatives say David Alonso had suffered a head injury a few days before the attacks occurred.

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