Nolan: Turns out Fallon has a glioblastoma -- a brain tumor on his right frontal lobe. The defense is arguing it impacted his impulse control.
McCoy: How did we not know about this?
Maroun: It was diagnosed only a week before the murder. He hadn't received treatment yet and by his account hadn't told anyone yet, including his attorney.
McCoy: That strains credulity.
Price: A judge thought so too but ultimately accepted their change of plea.
Maroun: Studies link glioblastomas specifically to toxic exposure from burn pits.
McCoy: So from Fallon's perspective, Lockett was responsible not only for his best friend's suicide but for his own diagnosis. That only strengthens his motive.
Maroun: But the defense has a neurooncologist that will testify the tumor is responsible for the murder and impaired Fallon's ability to distinguish right from wrong in the moment.
McCoy: That's not true. But it's good strategy. Allows them to introduce the burn pits and the tragic aftermath and paint the defendant as the victim.
Maroun: In a way, he is.