Trial ordered for man accused of killing mother, mutilating body, over financial support (Sam Spital)

Commentary by Sam Spital, San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer:

“On November 19, 2012, a 31 year old son used a baseball bat, hammer or other blunt object to inflict 75 wounds in the beating death of his 60 year old mother who resided in the  North County community of Solana Beach as reported by the CBS Channel 8 online news. Now that the Preliminary Hearing in the San Diego Superior Court was concluded, the son will stand trial for the crime of murder for financial gain and murder with special circumstances (torture), which took place the day after his mother went to Los Angeles where he lived to buy a car for him but thereafter refused to continue providing financial support. It was also reported the defendant cut up parts of her body and placed them in a refrigerator.

The Defense Attorney argued her client was schizophrenic and insane, but the Judge refused to find a nexus between the defendant’s mental illness and the murder. Some will argue the mutilation and brutal killing by a son of his mother deserves no mercy, while others will point to the failure of our mental health system to provide safe guards to prevent this horrific murder.

The writer did not indicate whether previous warning signs or symptoms had ever led to a 72 hour hold in a psychiatric hospital or previous treatment for the defendant’s very serious mental disorder. However, Defense Counsel did identify an email the son wrote to his mother in which he said ’It’s no joke mom, I’m insane,’ and she then said to the Court “this is just crazy.’ It is clear that society has a far greater part to play in educating the public to take responsibility, intervene, and utilize the psychiatric treatment facilities in place &/or seek care through the County Mental Health Services. Perhaps not every criminal offense associated with mental illness can be prevented, but certainly there is help that is available and can be provided to those that suffer these disorders, and support to their families as well.”