PDCaseMockExamShortVersion

Case Tom Jones is a 44 year old black man who brutally stabbed and killed his next-door neighbor’s 5 year old son while acutely psychotic. Date of the crime: 5/6/ 2004; 38 years old at time of the crime. Crime occurred in Steamboat Springs (Routt County), where Mr. Jones had been working as a chef at an upscale restaurant for the last 8 years. Past History: Some family history of violence—father was an alcoholic and hit wife and kids when drinking. No prior adult arrests or convictions, but a couple arrests in high school: drove without a license at age 14, a disturbance charge and underage drinking age 16 when ticketed for hosting a loud, drunken party when parents were out of town. Both charges were dropped. Graduated from community college with 3.5 GPA in culinary arts Older brother in prison for drug possession charges Patient with history consistent with cocaine, marijuana and alcohol abuse, but not dependence Good work history. 3 failed marriages. Had one child (son) in 1st marriage. Gave this child up for adoption by ex-wife’s 2nd husband when child was 4 years old. Some unresolved loss and guilt regarding this. Two prior psychiatric hospitalizations: Discharge diagnoses was Substance-induced Psychosis on both occasions. No f/u treatment recommended. NGRI Crime: Unrecognized depression for about 8 months. Wife filing divorce. 5 days prior to the crime, Mr Jones stopped sleeping. Talking a mile a minute, and yelling so loudly, he was sent home from work. Wife became worried when he began talking about Satan trying to get into their house. On 5/6/04, his wife went to work at about 8:30 am. Her husband had just finally fallen asleep as she was getting ready for work. According to Mr. Jones, he awakened at about 9 am. He heard voices, felt intense fear, and had the sudden belief that Satan had killed his wife. Believed Satan was in the house with him. Suddenly certain Satan had invaded his cat, and he grabbed a kitchen knife and repeatedly stabbed the cat. The cat got away and he chased it. He saw 5 year old Brian and believed Satan had moved from the cat to Brian. He grabbed Brian and began stabbing him. Brian’s mother heard him screaming, ran out, screamed for help, and fought with Mr. Jones. When police arrived, Mr. Jones was making statements that “I had to do it. I had to kill the Devil.” Brian was pronounced dead at the scene of the crime. Autopsy showed 10 separate stab wounds. Cause of death was exsanguination due to stab wounds to the neck, severing the left carotid artery and a single stab wound to the chest. Hospital Course: Upon admission, Mr. Jones was blatantly psychotic. He stabilized quickly on 15 mg of Haldol. CMHIP psychiatrist and DA-hired psychiatrist said he was insane at the time of the crime. DA stipulated to a finding of Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity. His initial risk assessment was completed by Dr. Reid in March, 2007. Her assessment was that as long as his mental illness was stabilized, and he stayed on medication, he was Low risk for future violent behavior. She recommended that he progress relatively quickly to a lower level of security. She noted that most of his treatment could most likely be completed safely in the community. Mr. Jones progressed relatively quickly through the security levels. Earned Off-grounds privileges. CMHIP now recommending Community Placement.