A former Ohio University graduate student on trial for stabbing his father to death was found not guilty by reason of insanity yesterday in the Athens County Court of Common Pleas.
Jonathan Bebb, 32, was on trial for stabbing his father, former OU professor Phillip Bebb more than 50 times last year, causing his death. Both the prosecution and defense in the case agreed that Bebb was not guilty by reason of insanity.
In order to be found not guilty by reason of insanity, jurors had to determine that Bebb was suffering from a severe mental disease at the time of the murder and could not distinguish right from wrong.
After about 40 minutes of deliberation, the jury reached a verdict that Bebb was not guilty of aggravated murder by reason of insanity.
There are really no disputed facts in this matter
said assistant prosecutor Robert Driscol.
Both sides said that it was rare to give a closing argument where they were in complete agreement, but the trial was necessary because the law required a jury to reach a verdict.
Defense attorney Kort Gatterdam urged the jury to put themselves in the mind of Bebb, who psychologists agreed was suffering from a delusional disorder.
Jonathan Bebb believed in his mind there was only one thing he could do to survive and that was to kill his father he said.
These are not photos of a normal killing
Gatterdam said of the autopsy and crime scene photos presented during the case. Jonathan wanted this man dead. Jonathan wanted this man dead because that was the only way he could live.
Bebb did not believe he would be prosecuted for killing his father because he thought after police heard his side of the story they would understand his reasoning, Gatterdam said
Psychologist Jolie Brams was the only witness to testify in court yesterday. She discussed her experiences interviewing Bebb and explained the severity of his condition.
My conclusion is that Mr. Bebb does suffer from a severe mental disease and that he was insane at the time the crime was committed
she said.
Brams said that she looked at Bebb's extended family and found a history of mental illnesses like depression and schizophrenia.
Bebb showed various delusional symptoms from an early age, which eventually led to a psychotic breakdown at the age of 19, she said.
His behavior went from being odd to being blatantly psychotic
she said. Brams discussed hospital and therapy reports describing many incidents where Bebb felt he was in need of medical attention.
Bebb's complaints included rectal pain, accusations that someone had poisoned his water and that the hills were talking to him.
Gatterdam also cited Bebb's demeanor to jurors in closing arguments and described him as almost catatonic.
His body is here but we don't know where his head is
he said.
-
he said. I have nowhere else to go.
Judge Michael Ward referred Bebb to the Moritz unit of the Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare center in Columbus. After six months of treatment with a team of professionals, he will have a hearing in Athens.
Because the charge of aggravated murder came with a possible life sentence, Bebb will remain under the court's jurisdiction for the remainder of his life.
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