The attorney for the suspect in the attack on a Grand Junction, Colorado TV reporter is laying out his defense to reporters.

Public defender Ruth Swift says her client has a history of mental health disorder and that such an incident would not likely happen again.

“He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He received services through the (Veterans Affairs) as well as through a community provider. He’s had some ongoing mental health issues for about two decades now,” Swift said, according to CPR News.

Egan is accused of following KKCO-TV reporter JaRonne Alex, a Pacific Islander, back to his station and declaring “This is Trump’s America now! I’m a Marine, and I took an oath to protect this country from people like you!”

A struggle ensued and Alex was tackled and strangled by his assailant.

KKCO reports Egan is currently out of jail on $20,000 bail He is currently under court orders to stay more than 100 yards away from the victim.

He is scheduled to appear back in court on January 16.

A number of his friends appeared at his last court hearing, acknowledged his story with mental health issues but asserted he would not reoffend.

“We do believe that this is not something that’s likely to reoccur,” Swift said. “Given that Mr. Egan is now aware that the treatment he engaged in before was not working and that he will be able to address the mental health issue so that he is more like himself.” 

District Court Judge JenniLynn Lawrence said Egan should know better given that he was a Marine.

“I think when you are of your right mind, you would well recognize that these are not the types of behaviors that anyone in the Marine Corps would expect from you or would tolerate from you,” Lawrence said. 

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