Day 3: David Trebilcock Trial
By: WUTR Staff
Updated: February 9, 2012
Today is day 3 of David Trebilcock's murder trial.
The main question in this case is whether or not Trebilcock was mentally stable to fully appreciate the consequences of his actions on the day of July 19th - when 6-year-old Lauren Belius was stabbed to death.
The defense brought in their last two witnesses, a staff psychiatrist from CNY Psychiatric Center and an independent clinical forensic psychiatrist, Norman Lesswing, hired by the defense.
From tests and evaluations, Dr. Lesswing says Trebilcock suffers from paranoid schizophrenia.
Dr. Lesswing says this is characterized by his delusions of religious nature.
He says Trebilcock was delusionally convinced that young Lauren was the anti-Christ, which is why Trebilcock says he killed her.
Dr. Lesswing says Trebilcock is psychotic within those delusions, but outside that issue, he says he appears to be coherent.
Dr. Lesswing says Trebilcock's delusions did not manifest until a couple of days before the crime. Both doctors say schizophrenia can go unnoticed for years. Closing statements from both the prosecution and defense are expected tomorrow.
Judge Dwyer says a verdict is set to be reached by Tuesday of next week.
