Experts Testify Cinnaminson Man Didn't Intend To Kill Girlfriend And Her Father

Cinnaminson, NJ -- A pair of experts testified that a Cinnaminson man accused of killing his girlfriend and his father while he lived with them last year was impaired by mental illness and substance abuse at the time of the alleged murders, the Burlington County Times reports.

As a result, they believe 29-year-old Dennis Pozniak didn’t intend to kill 24-year-old Nicole Wilson and her father, 52-year-old Bryan Wilson, according to the report.

Clinical and forensic psychologist Leland Mosby testified that Pozniak has a history of mental illness and delusions, according to the report.

Toxicologist Gary Lage testified Pozniak was so intoxicated he may not have known what he was doing at the time of the murders, and that Pozniak has a history of heroin addiction, according to the report.

The court previously heard a recorded interview detectives conducted in which Pozniak slurred his speech.

Jurors were also given a transcript of the interview, in which he admitted to mixing Xanax and Valium with wine in an attempt to kill himself.

Pozniak has been indicted on two counts of first degree murder, one count of third degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and one count of fourth degree unlawful possession of a weapon.

Police were called to the residence at about 9 a.m. on Feb. 1 by a family member who awoke and discovered the bodies.

Pozniak was inside the residence at the time. He was taken to a hospital and treated for several lacerations that were believed to be self-inflicted.

According to a previous Burlington County Times report, he slashed himself 50 times and mixed pills with alcohol in an attempt to kill himself.

Autopsies performed by Burlington County Medical Examiner Dr. Ian Hood determined that death for both victims was caused by head trauma due to bludgeoning.

The Cinnaminson High School graduate with a prior charge of heroin possession and an outstanding charge of barbiturates possession, both in Camden County, had been living with his girlfriend and her father for several months at their home in the 200 block of Washington Street in Mount Holly prior to the murder.

Bryan Wilson had come to live with his daughter and Pozniak after being fired from his job, and Pozniak had complained that his presence was causing strain on their relationship, according to previous testimony.

A detective previously testified that Pozniak admitted he wanted to harm his girlfriend and her father.

Nicole Wilson was a decorated specialist with the Air National Guard and was stationed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

Pozniak remains lodged in the Burlington County Jail on $1 million bail during the proceedings.

The attached image of Dennis Pozniak was provided by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office