Late legal move could impact January court date
Summary
– The man accused of stalking Liv Morgan has filed notice of an insanity defense
– The filing was submitted weeks before the trial was scheduled to begin
– Prosecutors argue the move is untimely and could delay proceedings
A major legal development has emerged in the federal case involving the man accused of stalking WWE star Liv Morgan. Just weeks before the case was set to go to trial, the defense filed notice of an intent to pursue an insanity defense. The move could significantly alter the timeline of the proceedings.
According to PWInsider, Shawn Chan formally submitted the notice on December 23, 2025. The trial was initially scheduled to begin January 12, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The defense filing falls under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 12 (b) (2), which allows expert testimony related to a defendant’s mental state.
Chan’s legal team stated that further evaluation of his mental health became necessary after reviewing discovery materials and meeting with him. They retained Dr. Michelle Ayala to conduct a psychological examination. After an initial delay, the evaluation took place on October 24, with a detailed report submitted on December 22.
In her findings, Dr. Ayala concluded that Chan suffers from an acute delusional disorder. The report stated that he believed he was in a romantic relationship with Liv Morgan and was legally insane at the time of the alleged offense. That conclusion now forms the centerpiece of the defense strategy.
Prosecutors have objected to the filing, arguing that the deadline for pre-trial motions expired in May 2025. They contend the late submission could prevent the trial from proceeding as scheduled. The defense countered by stating the delay was unavoidable and tied to the timing of the psychiatric evaluation and indictment.
The court has given prosecutors until January 6, 2026, to respond before deciding whether to modify the trial schedule. Chan has remained in federal custody since his arrest in June and faces up to five years in prison if convicted. With the insanity defense now formally on record, the case’s immediate future remains uncertain.
