The trial of former Ohio University graduate student began yesterday with both the prosecution and defense agreeing that he killed his father, but is not guilty by reason of insanity.
Jonathan Bebb, 32, is charged with aggravated murder for the death of his father and former OU professor, Phillip Bebb September 2007.
Attorneys on both sides agreed that Bebb, while suffering a severe mental disease or defect
purposefully killed his father.
Bebb brought a knife to the home of his father on Sept. 24, 2007 and stabbed him more than 50 times in the neck, upper torso and face, ultimately resulting in his death.
Bebb underwent multiple psychological examinations, which determined that at the time of the confrontation with his father he was experiencing a severe mental disease. He also did not understand the wrongfulness of the acts he was charged with, according to court testimony.
After jury selection yesterday morning, Athens Police officer Rick Olexa testified, identifying photographic evidence of the crime scene.
Olexa was called to the Mulligan Road crime scene to investigate the homicide.
When Olexa first entered the home he said he noticed a distinct smell of Listerine, which photo evidence later showed was spilled on walls on top of bloodstains.
Olexa identified high-velocity blood spatter on the walls and ceiling down the main hallway, saying that the different directions of spatter and blood smears indicated that there was a struggle.
A large amount of blood was found in the bathroom, where Olexa said he believed a lot of the altercation took place.
Blood was found pooled on the floor and there were high-velocity splatter stains along the baseboard of the walls where Phillip Bebb had been coughing up blood, Olexa said in testimony.
The inside of the bathroom door had bloody handprints on it, indicating that Phillip Bebb might have been trying to hold the door shut, he said.
We feel the victim would have been holding the door shut after he was injured Olexa said.
Footprints were found on the outside of the door along with a large crack after it was apparently kicked.
Phillip Bebb was found dead against a wall in the TV room with defensive wounds on his wrists and arms.
The depth of the incisions is fairly remarkable Olexa said.
To clarify Bebb's mental condition, expert witness and forensic psychologist, Monique Coleman testified about her various encounters with him.
He described a molestation incident (with his father) around the age of 7 or 8
Coleman said.
Coleman said Bebb had a strained early development after his parents divorced and he went to live with his mother.
Bebb had reported concerns in the past 10 years that his water was being poisoned, that he had been raped and that he'd been given drugs, she said.
Between 2005 and 2007 Bebb had nine encounters at O'Bleness Memorial Hospital, according to court documents. He reported rectal pain and concerns of a possible sexual assault. No medical evidence was found.
She said that in the past, professionals had diagnosed him with different diseases such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and posttraumatic stress disorder.
Coleman testified that Bebb thought the ultimate death of his father would be the only thing that would relieve him from the threats to his safety.
Coleman said Bebb felt that he had exhausted all alternatives to seeking mental health and that his father was not open to a nonviolent solution.
She concluded that Bebb has a delusional disorder.
The delusional disorder contributed directly to (Bebb's) behavior
thoughts and actions at the time of the events
she said.
Dave Malawista, a clinical and forensic psychologist and a reserve commander with the Athens Police Department, also evaluated Bebb for several hours, he said.
Malawista confirmed the previous testimony that Bebb was unaware of his actions and was not guilty by reason of insanity.
The events of that evening were directly a product of his mental illness
he said.
At the end of the day's testimony, the jury was dismissed but the attorneys and Bebb remained for a brief hearing with Coleman.
Should the jury find Bebb not guilty by reason of insanity, he will be sentenced to mandatory mental care by the state. Because of scheduling conflicts, Coleman offered her professional advice regarding Bebb's sentence in the event of a not guilty verdict.
She recommended that Bebb be taken to a maximum-security facility where he will undergo treatment with a team of professionals.
Bebb's defense attorney, R.J. Shostak argued that Bebb was a nonviolent person outside of this incident and that a maximum-security facility might not be necessary. However, Coleman said the maximum security would be most appropriate given the severity of Bebb's crime.
Proceedings continue at 12:30 p.m. today at the Athens County Court of Commo
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