Trebilcock found not criminally responsible for killing Lauren Belius
By: Jennifer Lee
Updated: February 15, 2012
It was judgment day for the Sherrill man accused of stabbing to death six-year-old Lauren Belius back in July.
David Trebilcock is found not criminally responsible in the death of young Lauren.
It was a sad day for Lauren's family as they left the courtroom in tears.
Judge Michael Dwyer says he didn't find Trebilcock "not guilty," rather he found Trebilcock not responsible of killing Lauren Belius by a reason of mental disease or defect.
"This monster should never be able to walk on the face of this earth again as far as I'm concerned," says John Belius.
Lauren's grandfather, John Belius says the death of his granddaughter is a travesty and an injustice.
And although David Trebilcock admits to killing 6-year-old Lauren, the defense had to prove Trebilcock lacked criminal responsibility for her death.
"It should be clear to everyone that David Trebilcock and David Trebilcock alone is solely responsible for this tragedy," says Judge Dwyer.
Judge Dwyer says four doctors spent time to evaluate Trebilcock's mental state and offered their opinion that Trebilcock suffers from paranoid schizophrenia.
After a week of testimony and statements from both the prosecution and defense, Judge Dwyer says Trebilcock's mental disease prevented him from fully understanding the consequences of his conduct or to know what did was wrong the day of July 19th.
"Many will probably want to know what will happen to Mr. Trebilcock at this point. Today I will issue an order to have two psychiatrists conduct an examination of the defendant," says Dwyer.
In the meantime, Judge Dwyer has ordered Trebilcock to remain in Oneida County Jail until the doctor's reports are completed.
After he gets those reports, Judge Dwyer will hold a hearing to determine if Trebilcock is "dangerously" mentally ill.
If so, he will be sent to a secure mental health facility for a year.
Trebilcock can be held for another two years if it's determined that he's still mentally ill.
One of the doctors who took the stand last week says Trebilcock's outcome for recovery is poor. Therefore, he could spend the rest of his life in a secure mental facility.
