A 27-year-old Auckland man who fatally stabbed entomologist Stephen Thorpe near Blockhouse Bay Tennis Club in August 2023 has been deemed unfit to stand trial due to mental illness.
The High Court heard that the man, who has a long history of drug use and hallucinations, including visions of the devil, had been under compulsory psychiatric treatment since 2022.
Justice Graham Lang ruled that, while the defendant cannot be convicted, evidence strongly indicates he committed the killing, supported by CCTV footage, forensic links, and a knife bearing his known alias.
The man remains at the Mason Clinic pending a hearing to determine if he will become a long-term special patient.
Pulled that one off well.
This is where the “care in the community” (read: we don’t want to fund mental health) crap, that’s now been touted for years, by neo liberal’s, gets you. Now a talented man is gone as a result.
Spartaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
This was absolutely sickening. Drugs do indeed bring you closer to the devil.
A real loss for New Zealand of a harmless, intelligent and passionate man. RIP.