Man with schizophrenia admits to manslaughter after fatally stabbing his elderly neighbor 45 times
A 38-year-old man with paranoid schizophrenia, who allegedly experienced auditory hallucinations and believed he was being disturbed by his neighbor's noise, fatally stabbed his elderly neighbor over 45 times with a cleaver in 2021. The neighbor eventually died of serious injuries.
The man pleaded guilty to manslaughter today (Sept. 17) in the High Court. The sentencing and mitigation hearing has been adjourned to Sept. 30, during which the court will review background reports and psychiatric evaluations to determine if a hospital order is appropriate.
According to the case details, the defendant denied murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility after the prosecution accepted the plea.
He was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2018. At the time of the incident, he lived with his mother in apartment 1906 in Heng Shan House, Heng On Estate, Ma On Shan. The victim and his wife lived next door in apartment 1905.
On the day of the incident, the elderly neighbor was leaving his home to go shopping when the defendant suddenly emerged from his apartment armed with a cleaver. He attacked the neighbor from behind, repeatedly slashing his head, shoulders, and back.
The attack was so severe that both of the victim's right and left thumbs were cut off and left in the corridor. Three witnesses, including the victim's wife, saw the tragedy.
After the assault, the defendant took a taxi to Prince of Wales Hospital, where he told a nurse that he was mentally unwell and might have harmed someone. Upon his arrest, he said that he had been disturbed by noise from his upstairs and next-door neighbors for over a year, which led to his frustration and a loss of control, causing him to develop the intent to kill one of his neighbors.
A forensic pathologist determined that the victim had suffered at least 45 stab wounds, leading to fatal blood loss. The wounds indicated that the victim was conscious and attempted to defend himself during the attack.
Several psychiatric evaluations diagnosed the defendant with paranoid schizophrenia, auditory hallucinations, and delusional disorder.
Related News:
Swiss model brutally murdered by her husband: Body dismembered and pureed in hand blender
Comment