Man accused of murdering Scots lawyer in LA claims he was in 'state of psychosis'
Jonathan Renteria's laywer said his client was "deeply distressed by the victim's threats to take his only child away from him".
View 3 Images June Bunyan from Arran (Image: GoFundMe)
A man who has been accused of murdering a Scottish lawyer living in Los Angeles may have been in a 'state of psychosis' when he carried out the horrific attack, his lawyer has claimed.
Jonathan Renteria, 25, is accused of killing June Bunyan, 37, from Arran, after she began packing to leave their home, warning she would not let him see their baby daughter again.
Prosecutors earlier confirmed that he fell out with the mother after she failed to lose weight just weeks after giving birth.
June was found on September 11 having suffered traumatic neck injuries. Renteria has been charged with two offences - murder and mutilation, disinterment and sexual contact with human remains. He has pled not guilty to both charges.
His laywer Shaheen F. Manshoory has now published a statement saying his client was "deeply distressed by the victim's threats to take his only child away from him".
We previously told how Renteria hid the existence of his wife and baby from his family and that June had filed for legal protection in December 2023 from her then-partner after he allegedly subjected her to prolonged abuse.
View 3 Images Jonathan Renteria
It's understood the case was later dropped and the couple went on to get married and have a child together.
Mr Manshoory said: "My client may have been experiencing a state of psychosis at the time of this tragic incident, and was deeply distressed by the victim's threats to take his only child away from him, possibly to another county, which would have meant he could no longer be a part of her life.
"We grieve deeply for the victim and recognize that this is an extraordinarily difficult time for all involved."
June had moved to the United States to pursue her dreams of become a defence attorney.
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The couple's neighbour in Los Angeles, Arielle Miller, told US-based Eyewitness News that the Robert Gordon University graduate was the most popular person in their apartment block.
Miller also revealed that June had confided in her and described the relationship with Renteria as abusive.
She said: "He didn't want her to talk to certain people. He was verbally abusive. Something in particular he would always comment on was her body and her weight.
"The way that she died, the suffering she must've experienced, the fear, the violence, the pain - all of that - it's the stuff that keeps me up at night."
View 3 Images June on her graduation day in Scotland
Her family have since launched a fundraiser to bring her body home to Scotland.
June's mum Jill and brother Lyle said: “With unimaginable heartbreak, we share the devastating news that our beloved daughter, sister, niece, cousin and friend, June Bunyan, was tragically taken from us due to a violent crime in the US. Our lives are forever changed. She was only 37.
"June was known for her vibrant personality, infectious laugh, and deeply compassionate heart.
"Exceptionally accomplished, she held multiple degrees, but her proudest achievement was earning her law degree. Driven by courage and determination, June moved to America to sit the bar exam and pursue her dream of becoming a defence attorney."
[SRC] https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/man-accused-murdering-scots-lawyer-36023971
