Latest news with #insanity
Washington Post
21-05-2025
- Washington Post
Nebraska man not guilty by reason of insanity in Creighton University baseball director's death
OMAHA, Neb. — A Nebraska man charged in the shooting death of the director of baseball operations at Creighton University has been ordered to remain at a psychiatric hospital after he was found not responsible by reason of insanity. A judge on Monday ordered Ladell Thornton to undergo an evaluation to determine a treatment plan, WOWT reported .
Associated Press
20-05-2025
- Associated Press
Nebraska man not guilty by reason of insanity in Creighton University baseball director's death
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska man charged in the shooting death of the director of baseball operations at Creighton University has been ordered to remain at a psychiatric hospital after he was found not responsible by reason of insanity. A judge on Monday ordered Ladell Thornton to undergo an evaluation to determine a treatment plan, WOWT reported. Thornton waived his right to a jury trial on charges that included first-degree murder in the 2021 shooting death of Chris Gradoville, 37. The former baseball standout played for Creighton from 2004 to 2007 and then joined its baseball staff as its director of operations in the fall of 2020. Gradoville had just flipped an Omaha house and sold it to a realty company that was renting it to Thornton, officials said. Gradoville was shot after he arrived at the house to take care of a repair he had promised the realty company he would make. Annie Petersen with the Douglas County Public Defenders Office said signs that something might be wrong with Thornton went unnoticed because he lived alone. 'He slowly isolated himself from friends and family due to his paranoia, and there was nobody to tell him that the thoughts in his head and the voices that he was hearing were not real ... or that medicine could help his situation,' Petersen said. Thornton, who had an extensive criminal record, entered a no-contest plea for being a felon in possession of a firearm months before the killing. If there is ever a court order releasing him from the psychiatric facility, he must first serve the sentence for that offense, which carries a prison term of up to 50 years. Creighton is a private university in Omaha.
RNZ News
19-05-2025
- RNZ News
Former partner of double-killer twice ruled insane says she was terrified of what he might do to her
Photo: RNZ The former partner of a man who committed two killings more than two decades apart says he should not have been released from a mental health facility five days before he killed again. She says there was a "massive" failure by the mental health system, both in protecting him, but also the wider community. "It failed him, it failed everybody twice." RNZ earlier revealed the man - who was made a special patient under the Mental Health Act after his first killing - was recently found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity for a second time after killing someone he believed was possessed. RNZ is unable to publish details regarding either killings due to an appeal against name suppression that is due to be heard by the Court of Appeal. Rachel (not her real name) met the man via online dating about 18 months before the second killing. The man, who was going by a different name, seemed "perfectly fine". "He was very loving and caring and treated me incredibly well." Rachel, who has a young daughter, says the man doted on them both and was always willing to help. It wasn't until about six weeks before the second killing that the man told Rachel he had killed someone more than two decades ago. "I thought it was a joke ... I laughed and he said 'I'm not lying, you can look it up if you want to'." Once she realised he was telling the truth she screamed at him and told him to leave. She then read up on the case and was "horrified" at what he'd done. A couple of days later she went and saw him to find out why he did it. "He just said that he knew he was really unwell back then, and he tried to get help and admitted himself, and they kept wanting to release him. He said he begged them not to let him out, that he was telling them he didn't feel well, that he wasn't right." Rachel said she believed after speaking with him, and reading up on the case, that his mental health had been "mishandled really badly". "I could definitely see the failures that had happened to him [and the victim]." Around the same time, Rachel started noticing changes in the man's behaviour. He started becoming delusional and irrational. It appeared to coincide with his consumption of marijuana increasing a lot higher than she had noticed before. Then, about two weeks before the second killing, he was admitted to a mental health facility following an altercation with a relative. Following his admission she became "very scared and very terrified". About a week later he was released. The man contacted Rachel once he was released and she went to visit him to find out what had happened and see how he was. "He was talking about weird things and didn't really make any sense. He seemed very unwell." Rachel felt she was at "massively high risk" and was worried what he might do to her. "Progressively every day things were getting more worse and more scary and that's when I, for the first time, went s***, I'm in trouble. I knew I had to get out, but I knew I had to do it carefully. "I couldn't notify authorities, because if he found out it could have turned really bad. So I needed to work out quietly how I was going to exit without alarming him and angering him." A day after he was released the man sent Rachel a message saying he didn't love her anymore and wanted to break up. The following morning, about 4.30am, Rachel woke up to tapping on her ranch slider. She got up and he was standing outside. He said he'd been drinking with his friend all day and night and he'd been sick and then drove to her place. He ended up staying the night. Two days later she was doing her front lawn when she saw him sitting in his car on the road watching her. Rachel asked him what he was doing, and he replied: "Oh, I love you and I want to be with you". She told him he was stalking her and was being "creepy". He took off, but she then saw him again about an hour later across the road. She told him to go away, and she would see him later on. The next night he visited her home after repeatedly asking to come over. The couple were arguing back and forth in her bedroom. Rachel said she told him she did not think the relationship was working and he needed to leave. He refused to leave, and asked her what she was going to do about it. She threatened to call the police and then he left. The following morning, the day of the second killing, he called to say he needed someone to pick him up as he had driven out of town and his car broke down. Rachel said she was reluctant to help him, but eventually relented. However, when she got there he wasn't there. He eventually called her and said his phone had gone flat and he got a lift with someone else. She didn't see him until that evening about 5.30pm. He made himself a chicken sandwich and about 7pm they went to bed. According to court documents, the victim had been stabbed to death within an hour before he arrived. Rachel said he appeared to be OK, but was fully clothed in bed. When she asked why, he said it was in case he needed to leave quickly. He then started whimpering and said someone "told me to do it". Rachel fell asleep and woke up about 1am to get some water when she saw lights coming from outside. "I woke him up and said 'there's all these lights and things and he just got up and shot out and then suddenly there's armed offenders squad and dogs and guns being pointed and stuff like that." Rachel went and spoke with the police and asked what was going on. It wasn't until the following morning she found out he had killed someone. "I was in disbelief, I was sickened and distraught." Rachel said the man should not have been released from the mental health facility five days before the killing. "I don't know how they couldn't have noticed how he was unwell unless he put on a really good show." She believes there has been a "massive" failure in the mental health system. "It failed him, it failed everybody twice." Rachel said she often wonders whether he may have killed her as well. She is in therapy and says she's "a mess". "I feel sad. I feel sad for the victims, I feel sad for him. I feel it's just sad all around really. "He was unwell, and he just wasn't given the care that he should have been given." In ruling the man was insane for a second time, Justice Karen Grau said there was no question that he was responsible for the killing. The judge said the criminal charge "could not unpick what has happened in the system and what could and should have done, but it is hoped that answers will come, both for the whanau and for the wider community". The defendant was described as a "caring person when he was well". But, at the time of the killing he was "clearly unwell". To be released into the community after being designated a special patient, requires the sign off of the Minister of Health, the Attorney General and the Director of Mental Health. The man was released more than a decade ago, and later had his status changed to being a patient under the Mental Health Act. At the time of his second killing he was subject to a Community Treatment Order. After RNZ revealed the man's offending, Chief Victims Advisor Ruth Money called for an "urgent review" of forensic mental health services. In an earlier statement, Director of Mental Health Dr John Crawshaw said they were limited in what they could say regarding the case as there was ongoing legal action and name suppression in place. Dr Crawshaw confirmed there were specific processes set out under the Criminal Procedure Act and the Mental Health Act that must be followed when the status of a special patient is reviewed or changed. "The thresholds for decision making under the act are long standing. These processes are always followed." When a patient was moved from special patient status they were frequently subject to continued compulsory treatment orders, Dr Crawshaw said. "The Ministry of Health has provided information to the Minister of Mental Health about some aspects of this case under the no surprises principle, but it has not provided a formal briefing. The event and investigations all began prior to the current Minister's time in office." A Health New Zealand spokesperson said an external review of the care the patient received leading up to their offending was in progress. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
BreakingNews.ie
19-05-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Man (24) jailed for murdering 'charitable' retiree who took him into his home
A 24-year-old man has been given the mandatory sentence of life in prison for murdering a "thoughtful, charitable and generous" retiree who had taken both the defendant and his mother into his home after learning of their struggles with homelessness. In April, a jury at the Central Criminal Court unanimously rejected the defence's claim that Brian Ibe was entitled to a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity and convicted him of the murder of Peter Kennedy, who had just turned 65 and was retired from the probation services. Advertisement A consultant psychiatrist had told the jury that the first time Ibe reported hearing voices in his head was over a year after he was remanded in custody, on the same day his awareness of the possibility of the special verdict was first documented. It was Ibe's second trial for the murder, with his first having collapsed in July last year due to a legal disagreement on the classification of certain defence witnesses as experts. Only witnesses classified as experts are allowed to give their opinions in evidence, as opposed to regular witnesses, who can only testify to factual matters. Ibe, of no fixed abode and formerly of Moore Park, Newbridge, Co Kildare, had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of Mr Kennedy between April 28th and May 12th, 2020, both dates inclusive, in Newbridge. He had also pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to assault causing harm to Garda Brendan O'Donnell at Newbridge Garda Station on or about April 29th, 2020. Advertisement At the sentencing in the Central Criminal Court on Monday, the sister of the deceased, Anne-Marie Kennedy delivered a victim impact statement, in which she said that the family and wider network continue to be shocked and traumatised by her brother's murder. She described Peter as 'a thoughtful, charitable and generous man' who was always available to help his community and freely gave of his time. 'He was good humoured and positive, always had a smile and was always up for a chat,' she said, adding that this 'kind and generous man' suffered 'a cruel and terrifying end'. Ms Kennedy thanked all involved in the prosecution of the case, including the gardaí who were with her brother after he was attacked, administering first aid and holding his hand as he slowly lost consciousness. Advertisement She said that Peter's extended family, friends and work colleagues continue to miss him, and he will not be forgotten. Ms Justice Melanie Greally said it had been an unusual trial in many respects, as a jury would not normally hear so much evidence about the deceased, but multiple persons known to Mr Kennedy had all given accounts of his decency and generosity. She said that the court's hands were tied regarding sentencing, but she noted the absence of any true remorse from Ibe for his actions. The trial heard that Ibe's mother, Martha Ibe, had an issue with homelessness and came to live with Mr Kennedy, with her son also moving into Mr Kennedy's home around September 2019, when he was 19. Advertisement Problems arose prior to Christmas of 2019, with disputes between Mr Kennedy and the defendant, so Ibe left the house and came to Dublin, where he resided at a hostel run by the Peter McVerry Trust in Walkinstown. On April 28th, 2020, the defendant left the hostel and got a taxi to Newbridge, where he entered Mr Kennedy's house through the rear after smashing a window. Ibe's mother, who was present at the time, gave evidence that her son attacked Mr Kennedy with what she believed was a knife, making 'jabbing motions'. She left to get assistance, and when gardaí arrived they found Mr Kennedy on the floor upstairs with serious head injuries lying in a pool of blood. He was brought to Beaumont Hospital but died from his injuries on May 12th, 2020. State pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers found significant blunt force had been used to the side of Mr Kennedy's head, which was the result of kicking or the use of a blunt object, with the cause of death being traumatic head injuries. Dr Stephen Monks, a consultant psychiatrist, told the jury that he diagnosed Ibe with schizophrenia and found that at the time of the assault, he was psychotic. Advertisement Dr Gaurav Malhan also diagnosed Ibe with schizophrenia and found that as a result of his psychosis, he was unable to refrain from assaulting Mr Kennedy. However, Dr Mary Davoren, a psychiatrist called by the prosecution, disagreed with the schizophrenia diagnosis. The threats Ibe made to Mr Kennedy were goal-directed and rational, she said, and not evidence of the development of schizophrenia. The jury of six men and six women deliberated for just under seven hours before returning their unanimous verdict of guilty on both counts, rejecting the defence claim that Ibe was not guilty by reason of insanity. Ibe was also convicted of the assault on Garda O'Donnell on April 29th, 2020. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Paul J Carroll SC said that when Ibe was detained in Newbridge on that date, gardaí attempted to take samples including DNA, but he became agitated and tried to leave the station. Garda O'Donnell tried to ensure he did not leave, so Ibe threw a punch with his right hand, which connected with the left side of the garda's nose below the eye socket. Garda O'Donnell began to bleed from the injury and experienced pain to the nasal bone, with light bruising under his eye and on the nose. He suffered headaches for two months and was on sick leave for up to four weeks. On the assault charge, Ms Justice Greally imposed 12 months in prison. On the murder charge, Ms Justice Greally imposed the mandatory sentence of life in prison, backdated to the date Ibe went into custody, April 29th, 2020. The trial heard from friends of Mr Kennedy, who gave evidence of their belief that Martha and Brian Ibe were taking advantage of the victim's good nature. In the run-up to Christmas 2019, Rita Swords said Mr Kennedy was 'dishevelled', 'unkempt' and hungry. 'He was just a broken man, he just wasn't himself,' she said. She said Brian Ibe called Mr Kennedy's phone and demanded a meal from McDonalds. She said Mr Kennedy was 'panicking' and 'terrified' when this happened. Linda Mannion said in December 2019, Mr Kennedy told her that Ibe would come into his bedroom and shout at him for money. "He would be woken up by Brian shouting, demanding money off him." Damian Molyneaux recalled Mr Kennedy, whom he described as his best friend, telling him that Brian Ibe twice threatened to kill him, saying he would "slit his throat".
Irish Times
19-05-2025
- Irish Times
Man gets life for murder of ‘charitable' retiree who gave both him and mother shelter
A 24-year-old man has been given the mandatory sentence of life in prison for murdering a 'thoughtful, charitable and generous' retiree who had taken both the defendant and his mother into his home after learning of their struggles with homelessness. In April, a jury at the Central Criminal Court unanimously rejected the defence's claim that Brian Ibe was entitled to a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity and convicted him of the murder of Peter Kennedy, who had just turned 65 and was retired from the probation services. A consultant psychiatrist had told the jury that the first time Ibe reported hearing voices in his head was over a year after he was remanded in custody, on the same day his awareness of the possibility of the special verdict was first documented. It was Ibe's second trial for the murder, with his first having collapsed in July last year due to a legal disagreement on the classification of certain defence witnesses as experts. Only witnesses classified as experts are allowed to give their opinions in evidence, as opposed to regular witnesses, who can only testify to factual matters. READ MORE Ibe, of no fixed abode and formerly of Moore Park, Newbridge, Co Kildare, had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of Mr Kennedy between April 28th and May 12th 2020, both dates inclusive, in Newbridge. He had also pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to assault causing harm to Garda Brendan O'Donnell at Newbridge Garda station on or about April 29th 2020. At the sentencing in the Central Criminal Court on Monday the sister of the deceased, Anne-Marie Kennedy delivered a victim impact statement, in which she said that the family and wider network continue to be shocked and traumatised by her brother's murder. She described Peter as 'a thoughtful, charitable and generous man' who was always available to help his community and freely gave of his time. 'He was good humoured and positive, always had a smile and was always up for a chat,' she said, adding that this 'kind and generous man' suffered 'a cruel and terrifying end'. Ms Kennedy thanked all involved in the prosecution of the case, including the gardaí who were with her brother after he was attacked, administering first aid and holding his hand as he slowly lost consciousness. She said that Peter's extended family, friends and work colleagues continue to miss him, and he will not be forgotten. Ms Justice Melanie Greally said it had been an unusual trial in many respects, as a jury would not normally hear so much evidence about the deceased, but several people known to Mr Kennedy had all given accounts of his decency and generosity. She said that the court's hands were tied regarding sentencing, but she noted the absence of any true remorse from Ibe for his actions. The trial heard that Ibe's mother, Martha Ibe, had an issue with homelessness and came to live with Mr Kennedy, with her son also moving into Mr Kennedy's home around September 2019, when he was 19. Problems arose before Christmas of 2019, with disputes between Mr Kennedy and the defendant, so Ibe left the house and came to Dublin, where he resided at a hostel run by the Peter McVerry Trust in Walkinstown. On April 28th 2020, the defendant left the hostel and got a taxi to Newbridge, where he entered Mr Kennedy's house through the rear after smashing a window. Ibe's mother, who was present at the time, gave evidence that her son attacked Mr Kennedy with what she believed was a knife, making 'jabbing motions'. She left to get assistance, and when gardaí arrived they found Mr Kennedy on the floor upstairs with serious head injuries lying in a pool of blood. He was brought to Beaumont Hospital but died from his injuries on May 12th 2020. Dr Stephen Monks, a consultant psychiatrist, told the jury that he diagnosed Ibe with schizophrenia and found that at the time of the assault, he was psychotic. Dr Gaurav Malhan also diagnosed Ibe with schizophrenia and found that as a result of his psychosis, he was unable to refrain from assaulting Mr Kennedy. However, Dr Mary Davoren, a psychiatrist called by the prosecution, disagreed with the schizophrenia diagnosis. The threats Ibe made to Mr Kennedy were goal-directed and rational, she said, and not evidence of the development of schizophrenia. The jury of six men and six women deliberated for just under seven hours before returning their unanimous verdict of guilty on both counts, rejecting the defence claim that Ibe was not guilty by reason of insanity. Ibe was also convicted of the assault on Garda O'Donnell on April 29th 2020. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Paul J Carroll SC said that when Ibe was detained in Newbridge on that date, gardaí attempted to take samples including DNA, but he became agitated and tried to leave the station. Garda O'Donnell tried to ensure he did not leave, so Ibe threw a punch with his right hand, which connected with the left side of the garda's nose below the eye socket. On the assault charge, Ms Justice Greally imposed 12 months in prison. On the murder charge, Ms Justice Greally imposed the mandatory sentence of life in prison, backdated to the date Ibe went into custody, April 29th 2020. The trial heard from friends of Mr Kennedy, who gave evidence of their belief that Martha and Brian Ibe were taking advantage of the victim's good nature. In the run-up to Christmas 2019, Rita Swords said Mr Kennedy was 'dishevelled', 'unkempt' and hungry. 'He was just a broken man, he just wasn't himself,' she said. She said Brian Ibe called Mr Kennedy's phone and demanded a meal from McDonald's. She said Mr Kennedy was 'panicking' and 'terrified' when this happened. Damian Molyneaux recalled Mr Kennedy, whom he described as his best friend, telling him that Brian Ibe twice threatened to kill him, saying he would 'slit his throat'.
