Young killer can't explain why he stabbed friend - defence blames Prozac

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Young killer can't explain why he stabbed friend

Defence links Prozac prescription to attack

By: Mike McIntyre

05/26/2011 1:00 AM

A Manitoba teen says he's sorry for stabbing his friend to death -- but still can't offer up any explanation for why he did it.

The boy, who was 16 at the time of the September 2009 attack inside a West St. home, read from a written statement at his sentencing hearing Wednesday. He apologized to the family of his 15-year-old victim, Seth Ottenbreit, and sought leniency from the court.

"I've had lots of time to think of the consequences to my actions. I want you to know that if I could take that day back, I would," he said. "I know that Seth isn't the only person I've harmed. Because of a poor decision I made, a son, a brother and an uncle have been taken away."

Manitoba justice officials are seeking an adult sentence for the teen, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. In return, the Crown dropped a more serious charge of first-degree murder. Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the young killer faces a maximum sentence of four years custody and three years community supervision. But if raised to adult court, he would be given an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for at least seven years.

Provincial court Judge Heinrichs has reserved his decision until Aug. 4. Crown attorney Bell said provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act do not allow for sufficient sanctions to be imposed for such a serious, unexplained crime.

On Tuesday, Ottenbreit's mother called the teen a "cowardly murderer." A psychiatrist, Dr. Hildahl, testified it's troubling the accused hasn't been able to provide any reason for his violent actions. The teen has no prior criminal record but has been deemed a medium risk to reoffend based on drug and alcohol abuse, negative peers and poor job prospects, court was told. Defence lawyer Greg Brodsky said the slaying was not planned or premeditated and his client instantly felt guilty for the "spontaneous" act. His client tried to help Ottenbreit and even called 911, court was told.

Hildahl testified the boy had been prescribed Prozac three months prior to the killing. He said some studies have linked Prozac with behavioural and emotional changes in young users. Brodsky said the teen's parents complained he seemed to be getting worse while taking the drug, which prompted his doctor to increase the dosage.

Brodsky called an expert witness on Wednesday who has testified in numerous high-profile cases across North America in which killers were taking anti-depressant drugs. Dr. Breggin, a New York-based psychiatrist, told court the teen's use of Prozac likely meant the teen wasn't in full control of his actions. Brodsky said that means his client should be sentenced as a youth.

Ottenbreit suffered a fatal stab wound to the stomach following a dispute at the killer's home. Ottenbreit and a friend had gone over to the accused's home on a Sunday morning, where they got into an argument with the accused's younger brother. Ottenbreit shoved the boy, causing a chair to fall over and leave a mark on the new floor, court was told.

The accused wasn't home at the time but got angry when he found out what happened. He then invited Ottenbreit and his friend to return to the home that afternoon when he suddenly pulled out a knife from under a blanket and stabbed him once in the stomach while they all stood in the garage.

www.mikeoncrime.com

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 26, 2011 B3

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