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Judge allows key expert's testimony in trial of John Jonchuck

John Jonchuck's defense attorneys were dealt a blow by the judge on Monday.
John Jonchuck and Phoebe Jonchuck

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The trial for the man accused of throwing his 5-year-old daughter, Phoebe, off of a Pinellas County bridge will go on this March with a key expert for the state.

John Jonchuck's defense team fought to have the testimony of Dr. Emily Lazarou, a psychiatrist, thrown out. But, a judge sided with prosecutors.

Lazarou is one of the two state experts who ruled Jonchuck was not insane when he tossed his daughter off the Dick Misener Bridge in 2015.

Defense lawyers are arguing he was insane at the time, and they've got three of their own doctors who agree.

If Jonchuck is found guilty, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Previous: Jonchuck: 'Voices' told him if 'Phoebe didn't die, everybody was going to go to hell'

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