Too wired? Get away, try a Bed & Breakfast
Too wired? Get away, try a Bed & Breakfast
SKOWHEGAN, Maine -- A Superior Court justice yesterday found Mark Bechard not criminally responsible for last January's slayings of two nuns and attacks on two others at their Waterville convent.
Justice Donald Alexander issued his ruling from the bench after reviewing the evidence in the case against the 38-year-old former mental patient. Justice Alexander committed Mr. Bechard to the custody of state mental health officials.
There was never any doubt that Mr. Bechard killed two nuns and attacked two others. The judge had to decide whether Mr. Bechard committed the act out of rage or because of mental illness.
Sister Patricia Keane, who survived a bludgeoning attack in which a metal cane and statue of the Blessed Virgin were used, called the decision "wise."
"Well, I think that the judge said everything that needs to be said, but I thank God for the conclusion to the trial and will continue to pray for Mark and his family, for all those who are mentally ill and who need help, and this is the important thing, that they get the help that they need," Sister Keane told reporters.
Defense attorney Walter Hanstein III called the outcome "awfully bittersweet."
"I don't think anybody would claim that Mark's won any great prize. I mean it's a relief for him but he's certainly got a road ahead of him that not many people would stand in line for," said Mr. Hanstein.
Mr. Hanstein said he did not expect Mr. Bechard to be released any time soon.
In closing arguments, defense attorney Michaela Murphy said Bechard "is severely ill, he came into this world biologically cursed, he starts off with ... one of the most serious mental illnesses known to mankind."
Assistant Attorney General Eric Wright, however, said Mr. Bechard attacked the nuns out of frustration after going to their convent to discuss his fears of being "debaptized."
Mr. Wright said the assault had more to do with Mr. Bechard's past history of violence than it did with mental state.
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