NY man accused of killing, dismembering boy is "hearing voices"

[oberliner]

Source: Reuters

A Brooklyn man who confessed to smothering and dismembering an 8-year-old boy lost on his first walk home alone was ordered on Thursday to undergo a psychiatric evaluation after complaining of "hearing voices."

Levi Aron, 35, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and kidnapping in state Supreme Court in Brooklyn.

At the request of defense lawyer Pierre Bazile, Judge William Miller place Aron on a suicide watch and ordered him to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

"He is hallucinating and is hearing voices in his head," Bazile said as his client, wearing a green shirt and black yarmulke, pants and sneakers, stared at the courtroom floor.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/14/us-crime-boy-idUSTRE76D6WX20110714

[HockeyMom]

1. Where have we heard that before?

For one, David Berkowitz, the Son of Sam Killer.

[oberliner]

3. He still got six life sentences

I wonder what will happen in this case.

[marasinghe]

9. for a second: George W. Bush, the 'Son of Barbara Bush' killer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNmsl_8DYf0

[Poll_Blind]

2. I have read about and been very troubled by the death of this boy. He...

...literally simply asked a stranger for directions, and was walking only a very short distance to meet his parents (something like 7 blocks), and it happened in a very tightly-knit, very religious and very self-aware neighborhood. It's just chilling that something like this could happen...and a nightmare.

I believe the killer even convinced the boy to wait for him about 10 minutes while the killer went into a nearby dentist's office for some reason. Obviously, in a very short period of time he was able to engage the youngster and convince him he was "safe". This...is just a nightmare all around.

PB

[oberliner]

4. Not sure where you got those details from

This is from the confession:

My name is Levi Aron… On Monday evening around 5:30 I went to my dentist, Dr. Sorcher, to make a payment for visit for exam routine.

A boy approached me on where the Judaica book store was. He was still there when went out from the dentist’s office. He asked me for a ride to the Judaica book store. While on the way he changed his mind and wasn’t sure where he wanted to go.

So I asked if he wanted to go for the ride — wedding in Monsey — since I didn’t think I was going to stay for the whole thing since my back was hurting. He said ok.

Due to traffic, I got back around 11:30 p.m. … so I brought him to my house thinking I’d bring him to his house the next day. He watched TV then fell asleep in the front room. I went to the middle room to sleep. That next morning, he was still sleeping when I was ready to leave.

So I woke him and told him I’ll bring him to his house… when I saw the flyers I panicked and was afraid. When I got home he was still there so I made him a tuna sandwich….

I was still in a panic … and afraid to bring him home. That is when approximately I went for a towel to smother him in the side room. He fought back a little bit until eventually he stopped breathing.

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/14/levi-arons-confession-in-leiby-kletzkys-killing/

Is this person mentally ill? Is he covering up for someone? Doesn't seem to add up at this point.

[Poll_Blind]

5. It was yesterday sometime when I read the article I based my...

...comments on. I'm a little surprised at my powers of recollection, but I believe it was The Gothamist. So there's that.

As to the veracity of the man's story, there was video footage of he and the boy outside the dentist's office- the police were able to track the man down by the purchase he made there on his CC- and I believe the killer probably offered to give the boy a ride if he waited for him. Beyond that, I dunno. But I am not very inclined to believe much of what he says- especially when some of those things seem to be a function of the boy's alleged choices.

PB

[cstanleytech]

7. "Is this person mentally ill?"

No idea but I believe in the interest of justice it might be a good idea to let the doctors examine him to determine if he is nuttier than a fruitcake.

[Name removed]

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[Divine Discontent]

14. the offending post has been removed. thanks

[TomClash]

8. Those are footsteps

from the prisoners who will administer "justice" if he is convicted and sentenced to prison.

[plumbob]

12. One of those voices is mine reminding us that things like this are

great evidence that there is no god.

Or if there is,
s/he is uncaring,
asleep,
or inconceivably cruel.

All that needs to be proved is that he can understand the charge against him and can assist in his defense. He's already said that he was afraid of consequences, so that's the first. He's speaking in a systematic way, and that should be most of two.

[harvey007]

13. Seems to be a common problem

Google "hearing voices" and you will see there are even help groups and movements surrounding this phenomenon.

Didn't the killer of John Lennon also say he was "hearing voices?"

I have also read about people hearing voices that warn them and save their lives, which they attribute to "guardian angels."

[Trajan]

15. "Hearing voices"

Isn't this a classic sign of schizophrenia ?

DUers ? ... You do realize that some people ARE genuinely psychotic, right ?

I don't get the surprise .... it is well known that serious psychoses do exist that cause aural hallucinations .... This should be common knowledge here ....

I don't get it ...

[udbcrzy2]

16. The examination?

I think that is only to see if he's competent for trial. I suppose later he will be examined if he pleas not guilty due to insanity. It seems to me that whenever we get killers who have done such a horrible crime that involves depravity they want to claim insanity. In my opinion I don't believe he's insane, he planned this out too well and had to have realized his guilt if he tried to hide evidence.

[Devil_Fish]

17. didn't Bush say he herd the voice of god?NT