AUGUSTA -- Lawyers spent Monday morning discussing an insanity defense in anticipation of John A. Okie's trial on two separate murder charges next week in Kennebec County Superior Court.

Okie, 22, is charged with murdering a former girlfriend, 19-year-old Alexandra "Aleigh" Mills, on July 10, 2007, in her family's Wayne home; and his father, John S. Okie, 59, in his Newcastle home, six days later.

The state medical examiner said Mills was bludgeoned to death and the senior Okie was stabbed to death.

Jury selection is set for Friday and the trial is to begin on Monday for Okie, who pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect to both charges at an arraignment Sept. 7, 2007.

Okie has been held in the Kennebec County jail since his arrest on July 17, 2007. He was not in court Monday for a hearing on motions to limit testimony from experts.

Prosecutor Andrew Benson, an assistant attorney general, is seeking to limit psychologists' and psychiatrists' opinions about whether Okie is criminally responsible for the crimes.

Okie has been evaluated by a number of psychologists and psychiatrists, including those working for the State Forensic Service, and also was evaluated for the defense by forensic psychologist Charles Robinson.

Benson said experts might offer opinions on whether, at the time of the killings, the defendant had the capacity to understand criminal conduct, and whether he acted intentionally or knowingly.

Justice Joseph Jabar said he would rule early Friday on how to handle expert opinions.

"Ultimately, this is a mental health issue," he said.

Okie had been ordered by a separate court in April 2006 to continue with mental health treatment and medication as part of a resolution of criminal charges in Lincoln County.

The hearing Monday also discussed whether family or friends of victims can sit through part or all of Okie's trial.

The attorneys agreed that Mills' parents -- Timothy and Donna Mills, who attended Monday's hearing -- could remain in the courtroom during the trial. They also are expected to testify.

Generally, witnesses are sequestered and do not hear others testify.

The attorneys agreed to decide later whether Karen Okie, a potential witness, would be allowed to hear testimony.

"She is a victim and also the mother of my client," said Peter DeTroy, one of John A. Okie's defense attorneys.

Assistant Attorney General Lisa Marchese said she did not know whether she would call Karen Okie as a witness, saying Karen Okie has chosen not to speak to prosecutors.

The attorneys also agreed that a number of witnesses who were classmates and friends with the younger Okie and Mills, both 2006 graduates of Kents Hill School in Readfield, could attend the trial once they had testified.

Jabar asked Monday whether the state intended to call all 60 people, including almost a dozen detectives, it had named on the witness list.

Marchese said she anticipated calling as many as 45 of them and would submit a shortened list by the start of jury selection Friday.

The attorneys agreed to allow jurors to take notes during the trial, which is expected to last about two weeks.

Betty Adams -- 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com