01-31-2006, 07:35 PM
Attacker of AS girl let off.
Judge finds teenager mentally ill, not responsible for stabbing friend
By MARK PETERS, Staff Writer
Portland Press Herald
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
A teenage girl was delusional and not criminally responsible when she stabbed a friend in Scarborough last year, a judge decided Monday .
Before the ruling by Judge Peter Goranites, two expert witnesses testified the 16-year-old girl was mentally ill. She believed that she and her friend would become angels if they died together, they said.
The ruling means the teen, who was charged with attempted murder, will no longer be under the supervision of the court or face time in a juvenile correction center.
Prosecutors said the Maine Juvenile Code contains a gap that prevents the court from having authority over a juvenile found not criminally responsible by reason of insanity. An adult with the same finding would be committed to a mental hospital until the court determines it is safe to return the person to society.
"I think the Legislature needs to take a look at this . . . There is a hole," said Goranites during the hearing at Portland District Court.
The court has gradually reduced restrictions on the teen over the past 10 months in anticipation of Monday's ruling. For example, the court ended house arrest earlier this month.
Prosecutors said they agreed to the ruling because the teen is considered a low risk for future violent behavior, and because she has a close relationship with her parents, who will continue to obtain treatment for her.
But circumstances in juvenile cases can be much different and should lead to a change in law, Cumberland County District Attorney Stephanie Anderson said.
The victim's mother, Denise Kring, agreed the juvenile code needs to change. But she disputed testimony from medical experts that her daughter's former friend is not likely to commit a new crime.
"I am sitting there and listening and I have to question the validity of the prognosis," Kring said.
The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram has not identified the girl or the older victim because of the nature of the incident and the age of the accused.
Before Goranites ruled, Scarborough Police Detective Ivan Ramsdell testified that last March the teenager stabbed her friend in the back and neck before turning the knife on herself. The two also injected themselves with a potion that contained rat poison, he said.
The victim of the stabbing was 20 years old at the time of incident and has Asperger Syndrome, a developmental disorder. Ramsdell and two expert witnesses who met with the teenager described the incident as a likely suicide pact between the two friends. The two were interested in witchcraft, Harry Potter books and werewolves.
"She just got swallowed up to point where she didn't know what was real, and what wasn't," said Dr. Diane Schetcky, a psychiatrist who testified in court on Monday.
Kring's mother disputed the accounts of police and expert witnesses, saying her daughter was never suicidal and didn't participate in a pact. Denise Kring is pushing for a new law that would require prosecutors, police and other emergency responders to get training in developmental disorders, including Asperger.
Sen. Philip Bartlett, D-Gorham, has submitted a bill that would require the training. It is pending in the Legislature.
Lawmakers rejected a bill last fall to revise the juvenile code so the court can supervise teens who are found not criminally responsible by reason of insanity. Bartlett said he plans to continue to work on the bill's details, trying to strike a balance between helping juveniles in trouble and protecting victims.
"The question in terms of the juvenile code is important, but probably needs a lot more investigation and consideration," Bartlett said. Staff Writer Mark Peters can be contacted at 791-6325 or at: mpeters@pressherald.com
Source:
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/news/l...outh.shtml
Judge finds teenager mentally ill, not responsible for stabbing friend
By MARK PETERS, Staff Writer
Portland Press Herald
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
A teenage girl was delusional and not criminally responsible when she stabbed a friend in Scarborough last year, a judge decided Monday .
Before the ruling by Judge Peter Goranites, two expert witnesses testified the 16-year-old girl was mentally ill. She believed that she and her friend would become angels if they died together, they said.
The ruling means the teen, who was charged with attempted murder, will no longer be under the supervision of the court or face time in a juvenile correction center.
Prosecutors said the Maine Juvenile Code contains a gap that prevents the court from having authority over a juvenile found not criminally responsible by reason of insanity. An adult with the same finding would be committed to a mental hospital until the court determines it is safe to return the person to society.
"I think the Legislature needs to take a look at this . . . There is a hole," said Goranites during the hearing at Portland District Court.
The court has gradually reduced restrictions on the teen over the past 10 months in anticipation of Monday's ruling. For example, the court ended house arrest earlier this month.
Prosecutors said they agreed to the ruling because the teen is considered a low risk for future violent behavior, and because she has a close relationship with her parents, who will continue to obtain treatment for her.
But circumstances in juvenile cases can be much different and should lead to a change in law, Cumberland County District Attorney Stephanie Anderson said.
The victim's mother, Denise Kring, agreed the juvenile code needs to change. But she disputed testimony from medical experts that her daughter's former friend is not likely to commit a new crime.
"I am sitting there and listening and I have to question the validity of the prognosis," Kring said.
The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram has not identified the girl or the older victim because of the nature of the incident and the age of the accused.
Before Goranites ruled, Scarborough Police Detective Ivan Ramsdell testified that last March the teenager stabbed her friend in the back and neck before turning the knife on herself. The two also injected themselves with a potion that contained rat poison, he said.
The victim of the stabbing was 20 years old at the time of incident and has Asperger Syndrome, a developmental disorder. Ramsdell and two expert witnesses who met with the teenager described the incident as a likely suicide pact between the two friends. The two were interested in witchcraft, Harry Potter books and werewolves.
"She just got swallowed up to point where she didn't know what was real, and what wasn't," said Dr. Diane Schetcky, a psychiatrist who testified in court on Monday.
Kring's mother disputed the accounts of police and expert witnesses, saying her daughter was never suicidal and didn't participate in a pact. Denise Kring is pushing for a new law that would require prosecutors, police and other emergency responders to get training in developmental disorders, including Asperger.
Sen. Philip Bartlett, D-Gorham, has submitted a bill that would require the training. It is pending in the Legislature.
Lawmakers rejected a bill last fall to revise the juvenile code so the court can supervise teens who are found not criminally responsible by reason of insanity. Bartlett said he plans to continue to work on the bill's details, trying to strike a balance between helping juveniles in trouble and protecting victims.
"The question in terms of the juvenile code is important, but probably needs a lot more investigation and consideration," Bartlett said. Staff Writer Mark Peters can be contacted at 791-6325 or at: mpeters@pressherald.com
Source:
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/news/l...outh.shtml