Matthew Taranto of Trumansberg has entered a plea of not guilty to a second degree murder charge in the November shooting of his father Sal.
His defense attorney said that several defense options are available.
Taranto has both Asbergers Syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
His attorney feels he may have diminished capacity.
Defense attorney Scott Miller said his client may also have suffered abuse at the hands of his father up to the day of the shooting.
He said there appears to be evidence that Matthew was threatened with a knife and a gun.
Miller plans to ask the judge to grant bail, a move the prosecution plans to protest.
Taranto’s mother sat in the courtroom behind Taranto, and the defense said she hoped to look after him until the trial.
The trial is tentatively scheduled for July.
