Morning Sentinel
Murder suspect to plead insanity
By GREGORY D. KESICH
MaineToday Media, Inc. Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel Thursday, May 17, 2007

By GREGORY D. KESICH

MaineToday Media, Inc.

Ever since Christian Nielsen was arrested for killing four people connected with a Bethel-area bed and breakfast over Labor Day weekend, people have raised questions about his sanity.

The questions took on new meaning this week when his lawyer filed notice in Oxford County Superior Court that Nielsen would change his plea from "not guilty" to "not criminally responsible," more commonly known as an insanity defense.

Nielsen's mental state will now become the concern of the judicial system, where a judge, or possibly a jury, will decide whether Nielsen "lacked substantial capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of the criminal conduct," the standard laid out in state law.

It is a difficult burden to meet, said Dr. Ann Leblanc, director of the State Forensic Service, the agency that evaluates criminal defendants who may have mental health issues.

Although still controversial, successful insanity defenses speak to a basic premise of the criminal justice system, Leblanc said.

"We believe that to commit a crime you have to have free will," she said. "We don't punish people who acted without free will."


Reader comments

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justadog of appleton, ME
May 18, 2007 5:16 AM
He killed 4 people, we know he's nuts. He should be put to death for the crimes. People forget that animals like this will always be a threat to other inmates and gaurds and medical staff. report abuse
papasmurf of skowhegan, ME
May 17, 2007 4:52 PM
right bjorn and what lesson did or would we learn its wrong to kill so lets kill him?
report abuse
Duncan of Fairfield, ME
May 17, 2007 4:04 PM
The statistics are overwhelming that a capital trial and execution are far more costly than prison. report abuse
Bjorn of Waterville, ME
May 17, 2007 11:36 AM
ALL people have 'free will.' ALL murderers are INSANE. That said, this person should not only be convicted, he should be put to death instead of living on the taxpayer dime with free cable TV and healthcare. Maine cannot afford it, and he does not deserve it.report abuse

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