The Liv Morgan stalker case has entered a dramatic phase, as new court documents detail an intense legal battle over an insanity defense, just weeks before the trial is scheduled to take place in Florida. Central to this dispute are revelations about defendant Shawn Chan’s mental health and legal rights, heightening public scrutiny and distress around the proceedings.
Shawn Chan Asserts Speedy Trial Rights Amid Mounting Legal Pressure
Shawn Chan, currently charged with interstate domestic violence for his alleged stalking of WWE star Liv Morgan, recently sent a handwritten letter to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division. On December 20, Chan insisted on his right to a prompt trial, specifically stating that he has never relinquished this right and opposing any further delays. The letter, postmarked December 22, was made part of the official record on December 29. Chan’s direct engagement with the court reflects his frustration over the legal process and signals a determination to resolve the charges without further postponement.
Legal Teams Clash as Insanity Defense Enters the Spotlight
Just days after Chan’s letter, a significant filing was made by his attorneys under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 12.2(b), indicating their intention to pursue an insanity defense supported by expert testimony. This move has deepened the controversy surrounding the case and ignited a contentious back-and-forth between Chan’s defense counsel and federal prosecutors.
Chan’s legal team disclosed that, after studying the evidence and conducting interviews with their client, they determined additional scrutiny of Chan’s mental health was warranted.
“After reviewing the discovery and meeting with Mr. Chan, defense counsel came to believe that additional investigation of his mental status was necessary to defend him on the merits. Accordingly, on September 5, 2025, counsel retained Dr. Michelle Ayala to examine Mr. Chan for diminished capacity and insanity. Dr. Ayala scheduled an examination of Mr. Chan for October 17, 2025, but had to cancel for personal reasons. She conducted the examination on October 24, 2025.”
– Defense Counsel, Court Filing
Dr. Ayala completed her assessment and submitted a detailed report on December 22, confirming her expert findings regarding Chan’s mental health at the time of the alleged offense.
“On December 22, 2025, Dr. Ayala provided counsel with the attached, 10- page, single-spaced report. Dr. Ayala finds that Mr. Chan suffers from an acute delusional disorder that causes him to believe he is in a romantic relationship with the alleged victim. Dr. Ayala concludes that Mr. Chan was insane at the time of the offense.”
– Defense Counsel, Quoting Dr. Michelle Ayala
Government Describes Insanity Defense as Untimely and Disruptive
Federal prosecutors have reacted sharply, arguing that the late notice of the insanity defense is improper under the court’s procedural rules. They referenced a previous order designating May 12 as the deadline for pre-trial motions and maintain that this cutoff was clearly communicated to all parties. With the trial date fast approaching on January 12, 2026, prosecution has argued that allowing this defense into the case at such a late stage would upend months of preparation and make the scheduled trial date essentially impossible to uphold.
Defense Justifies Delay, Citing External Obstacles and Urgency
In response, Chan’s counsel has stressed that circumstances beyond their control prompted the late filing, and have urged the court to accept their motion. Their arguments cite both scheduling complications and a purported clerical error in the court’s schedule as valid reasons to allow the defense to proceed.
“Finally, good cause exists to file the required notice late. Counsel acted diligently to investigate Mr. Chan’s mental status. The delay was caused by Dr. Ayala’s schedule and the need to complete the report. Given the thoroughness of Dr. Ayala’s examination and report, a delay of this sort is to be expected. In any event, the Defense could not have complied with the Court’s deadline because it passed before Mr. Chan was indicted.”
– Defense Counsel, Court Motion
This assertion underlines the defense’s ongoing frustration with the process, as well as their insistence that they acted responsibly and promptly as circumstances allowed. The court has now directed federal prosecutors to submit an official response by January 6, 2026.
Allegations Against Shawn Chan: Timeline of the Accused Stalking
The charges against Chan stem from events in the summer of 2025, when authorities say he traveled from Canada to Florida with the intention of approaching Liv Morgan at her home. According to court documents, Chan flew from Scarborough, Ontario to Orlando on May 26, 2025, shortly after receiving his passport. He reportedly informed customs agents that his destination was the WWE Performance Center, though that facility is not residential.
Within days, authorities claim Chan journeyed to Morgan’s residence, loitered on her property for hours, circled her home repeatedly, and tried to open the front door. After failing to gain access, he is alleged to have picked up an air pellet from the front porch, waited several hours, left a handwritten note, and then departed. The note, left behind as evidence, included identifying information for Shawn Chan and contained the following message:
“It’s me Shawn the guy you all hang out with on [gaming platform deleted] online. You’ve been trying to contact me, or should I say reach out to me when I’m absent from that game. So who’s the stalker huh?! I NEVER said and did anything bad for over 10 years, yet you all dared hating me for no reason. I came here to pay just a friendly visit, nothing more. Yet, I’m the one who looks like a stalker thx to all of you. And you all think I’m going to have empathy, sympathy and care about any of you anymore? I will start talking and doing whatever I want despite all your shoosh finger faces that you all make. Yea, I just wanted to let you know that I was here.”
– Shawn Chan, Handwritten Note Left at Liv Morgan’s Property
Arrest, Indictment, and Ongoing Detention of the Defendant
The FBI arrested Chan on June 3 after WWE security staff reviewed footage from Morgan’s home and identified him as the individual on her property. Following this identification, authorities moved quickly to apprehend him. Chan was indicted on June 25 and faces a maximum possible sentence of five years in prison if convicted. Since his arrest, he has remained jailed and multiple motions seeking pre-trial release have each been denied by the court. The trial is currently set to begin on January 12, 2026, but recent legal disputes threaten to once again change the timeline.
Significance of the Insanity Defense and What to Expect Next
The introduction of the insanity defense into the Liv Morgan stalker case has added substantial complexity and heightened emotional stakes for all involved, especially for authorities, prosecutors, and the legal teams representing both sides. The confrontation between Chan’s counsel and government prosecutors now hinges on whether the court will permit the late filing, with both legal precedent and the details of Dr. Ayala’s psychiatric evaluation forming the core of upcoming arguments.
The court’s decision on whether to accept the insanity defense could impact the trial date, potentially leading to further delay and intensifying frustration for everyone involved, including the alleged victim Liv Morgan. As legal teams, including Chan’s defense and federal attorneys, prepare for the next round of filings, the outcome will likely set important precedents for similar cases in the future. The proceedings will continue to be closely watched as the scheduled trial date approaches and further developments unfold in the Liv Morgan stalker case.
