Accused insane—witnesses
PA Palmerston North Two psychiatrists testified yesterday" that an accused murderer. Lawrence John Moana Clark, aged 25, was insane. He had lived much of his life in a fantasy world, one said. • Professor Reginald Medlicott and Dr Sidney Pugmire told a High Court jury in Palmerston North that Clark was suffering from schizophrenia. Professor Medlicott said that Clark was "quite unable to live safely in the community," and because of his increasing schizophrenic illness, “chronic mental hospitalisation is essential." Professor Medlicott said
he could not see Clarks being released from hospital in future. Clark has pleaded not guilty to the mutilation murder of a retired council groundsman, ' Jack Robert Scales, aged 60. in a toilet at the Ambassador Hotel on November 5, 1982. Professor Medlicott, the only witness called by defence counsel. Mr L. H. Atkins, said Clark would have been “quite unable" to appreciate the moral wrongness of what he did. The witness, who is visiting consultant psychiatrist at Lake Alice and Porirua hospitals, said that Clark's ability to control- his "bizarre fantasies" was lessening.
"This killing was not a simple, angry frenzy but the release of quite grossly disordered behaviour of a ritual fashion.” Professor Medlicott said that Clark had lived much of his life in a fantasy world. "Since early adolescence he has suffered from hallucinations of spirit people who visited and controlled him. He was particularly concerned on one occasion that they had all brought their bedding with them and intended to stay in his cell with him one night, all 19 of them.” Professor Medlicott said that Clark had never been able to cope as an independent human being “and has
needed, and will need, continuing care in an institution." His personality development was “grossly abnormal and for years this has been complicated by a scuizophrenic illness with hallucinations and weird ideas of hurting." Clark grew up effeminate and homosexual "and he is intensely sensitive about this." said Professor Medlicott. Removing eyes was a particular obsession with Clark, ■and some months earlier he had had a fight with a young woman during which he had tried to gouge out her eye. The trial is continuing.
Accused insane—witnesses
Press, 24 February 1983, Page 24
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