Updated 03/27/2012 04:39 PM
Trebilcock found dangerously mentally ill
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ONEIDA COUNTY, N.Y. -- A judge's ruling of not criminally responsible due to mental disease or defect in the David Trebilcock murder trial left some questions about Trebilcock's fate. Answers came in Oneida County Court Tuesday morning when Judge Michael Dwyer revealed two psychiatrists found Trebilcock to be dangerously mentally ill.
Trebilcock faced charges in the stabbing death of his girlfriend's six-year-old daughter, Lauren Belius. He told doctors who evaluated him that he was a messenger of God and had to kill Lauren because she was the Antichrist. It's a delusion the doctors' reports say he still suffers from.
"He understands the human level, but he also understands the godly level, the more heavenly level, the spiritual level. What he did spiritually was correct, but he understands that man is not going to give him accolades for what he did," said Patrick Marthage, Trebilcock's attorney.
"The importance of that opinion makes a difference in where he's going. So because he's dangerously mentally ill, he's going to a secure facility as opposed to a place that has a less secure setting," said First Assistant District Attorney Dawn Lupi.
Trebilcock was sent back to the Mid Hudson Forensic Psychiatric Center until state mental health officials determine where he'll be housed. His mental state will be reevaluated after six months, a year and then every two years after that.