Father, 92, who shot his son, 51, as he slept was provoked by 'extreme psychological abuse'

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Richard Landis Peck, 92, allegedly killed his son Robert Landis Peck, 51, with a shotgun at their home in San Diego on Wednesday
The former attorney, who is in a wheelchair, pleaded not guilty to murder Friday
His lawyer Douglas Gilliland said: 'This is a case of extreme psychological abuse'
Gilliland said the son moved in with his father about three months ago because he's in the middle of a divorce, and that Robert 'got blind drunk every day'
On Wednesday night the son allegedly smashed his father's landline phone so he couldn't communicate with police or his family in Georgia
Peck's bail has been set at $500,000 and he faces 50 years in prison if convicted
He is being held in the jail's medical unit due to his age and is on a suicide watch

Published: 15:41 EST, 17 November 2018 | Updated: 17:08 EST, 17 November 2018

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Lawyers for a 92-year-old California man accused of shooting his son in his sleep have argued that the former lawyer was provoked by 'extreme psychological abuse'.

Richard Landis Peck allegedly killed his son Robert Landis Peck, 51, with a shotgun at their home in San Diego on Wednesday.

Authorities said Richard contacted a neighbor around 6.30pm to call for help, saying that he had shot the 51-year-old.

First responders arrived on the scene and found Robert dead, according to FOX5.

Richard, who is in a wheelchair, pleaded not guilty to murder in court on Friday. His attorney, Douglas Gilliland told the court: 'This is a case of extreme psychological abuse.'

Richard Landis Peck, 92, (left) allegedly shot his son Robert Landis Peck, 51, (right) at their home in San Diego on Wednesday night. The father's attorney claims he was provoked by the son's 'extreme psychological abuse'

Robert moved in with his father three months ago while going through a divorce. Richard had reportedly called police to the home (above) two times because he was afraid of his son

Gilliland alleged that the son moved in with his father, a former civil litigator who used to work with the San Diego City Attorney’s Office, about three months ago because he's in the middle of a divorce, and that Robert 'got blind drunk every day'.

Richard had reportedly called police on two prior occasions because he feared for his safety around the son, who has a son of his own.

One of the times, police took Robert to a mental hospital after his father reported that he felt he was in danger.

Another time when the son was breaking things in the house, officers declined to get involved saying it was a family dispute, Gilliland told the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Richard's attorney Douglas Gilliland (above) said the son moved in with his father three months ago as he's in the middle of a divorce, and that Robert 'got blind drunk every day'

He said that on Wednesday night Robert had smashed his father's landline phone, making him unable to communicate with police or his daughter in Georgia.

The son then told Richard: 'I'm going to see you again later,' as he went to bed, but the father was too afraid to go to sleep that night, Gilliland said.

The attorney said Richard is 'sharp-minded' and poses no threat to the public.

He is being held on $500,000 bail in the jail's medical unit because of his age and has been on a suicide watch. He faces up to 50 years in prison if convicted.

A prosecutor told the Union-Tribune: 'This is an unusual case. But at the end of the day, he took someone else's life and he didn't have the right to do that.'

The judge said she would review the bail amount at a hearing on Tuesday.

A preliminary hearing to determine whether Richard should be held for trial has been set for January 11.

Gilliland said Richard's daughter and her husband flew to San Diego from Georgia after the shooting and would make arrangements for the father's care.

'The family was trying to intervene and get him out to Athens [Georgia] for a visit,' Gilliland said. 'He didn't want to leave his home. They knew Mr Peck was in a dangerous situation.'