Va. Beach man who decapitated son to stay in custody - The Virginian-Pilot

VIRGINIA BEACH

A man found not guilty by reason of insanity in the February 2009 decapitation of his 5-year-old son will remain in a mental hospital for at least another year, a judge ruled Monday.

Joseph Henry Hagerman III, 36, has been in the custody of the state's mental health system since shortly after the killing. The case is reviewed annually to determine whether Hagerman requires further hospitalization or if he is well enough for release. If he is still in custody after five years, the case will be reviewed every other year.

Hagerman did not attend the hearing. His attorney, Annette Miller, said her client recently was evaluated by three mental health experts, all of whom found he was mentally ill and should remain hospitalized.

Hagerman had stopped taking medication for paranoid schizophrenia and rarely slept in the days leading up to the killing, according to evidence presented during his insanity plea in May 2009. He believed death was the only way to save his son's soul.

On Monday, Circuit Judge Patricia L. West recommitted Hagerman for another year. The next review is set for September 2012.

27 Sep, 2011

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