Psychiatrist: Trebilcock Knew What He Was Doing

Additional Information

Utica, NY (WIBX) -The David Trebilcock trial will enter day four of testimony in Oneida County Court tomorrow.Trebilcock is facing a 2nd degree murder charge for the stabbing death of his then girlfriend's 6-year-old daugher, Lauren Belius. He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

Today the prosecutor brought in a expert witness who diagnosed Trebilcock as being “Malingering." He explains the mental assessment as a person who exhibits certain symptoms in an effort to avoid responsibility. "In my opinion I feel like he knew what he was doing," said, Dr. Minhaj Siddiqi, Staff Psychiatrist at Central New York Psychiatric Center during cross examination by the defense. Siddiqi also diagnosed Trebilcock as possibly having anti-social personality disorder.

The defense brought in their own expert witness, Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, Norman Lessing. Lessing also testified for the defense in the Christian Patterson trial.  Lessing told the court that Trebilcock is a paranoid schizophrenic who doesn't always know right from wrong. He says due to the nature of Trebilcock's mental disease, he's able to live in a dilusional reality, as well as, function normally at times.

Also, he explained that Trebilcock was pshycotic at the time of the murder, and that him being found naked and bloody in the child's bedroom, was because he was "talking to God" and preparing to die. He says part of his assessment and diagnoses was based on information he gathered from the suspect.

The defense plans to call one more witness  tomorrow. Judge Michael Dwyer who is presiding over this case, says he plans to make a decision as early as tomorrow or next Tuesday.