Væ§ølis
12-12-2003, 09:53 PM
By ADAM KOVAC
Kane County Chronicle
ST. CHARLES — An Elgin man facing prison for ax and knife attacks has the potential to commit additional acts of violence, a forensic psychiatrist testified Thursday.
Edward W. Edwardsen Jr., 21, could receive up to a 30-year prison sentence for crimes against people and cats three years ago that terrorized residents in the far west Chicago suburbs.
At a sentencing hearing, Dr. Alexander Obolsky said Edwardsen has several psychological characteristics that indicate he could strike again, such as a lack of empathy and an inability to control his behavior.
"I find the defendant has no remorse and shows no expression of guilt," Obolsky said. "He has an increased risk for future violence."
In October, Edwardsen was convicted of attempted murder, animal torture and other offenses after a 10-day trial that hinged on the testimony of Obolsky and other mental health experts for both sides.
Edwardsen pleaded innocent by reason of insanity, claiming that he was on a mission from God to rid the world of drug dealers, prostitutes and other evil doers, and high on the drug DXM, an ingredient in cough syrup.
In his cross examination Thursday, defense attorney David Camic of Aurora read excerpts of a statement Edwardsen wrote to Kane County Judge Donald C. Hudson where Edwardsen apologized for his "abominable" crimes.
Camic also noted that Edwardsen tried to seek psychological help and maintained a serious relationship with his girlfriend at Jacobs High School in Algonquin before he launched his rampage.
Edwardsen told police that he stabbed a man with a steak knife Sept. 1, 2000, in Elgin's Tyler Creek Forest Preserve, and hacked a woman with a hatchet three days later on a Carpentersville street.
He also said he entered the home of his former baby sitter on Sept. 9, 2000, and disemboweled two of her cats and stabbed a third. One of the cats later died.
Assistant Kane County State's Attorney Greg Sams said he might read statements from Edwardsen's victims before Hudson metes out a punishment.
Camic is expected to present testimony on Edwardsen's behalf from another mental-health expert when the hearing continues in January 2004.
Kane County Chronicle
ST. CHARLES — An Elgin man facing prison for ax and knife attacks has the potential to commit additional acts of violence, a forensic psychiatrist testified Thursday.
Edward W. Edwardsen Jr., 21, could receive up to a 30-year prison sentence for crimes against people and cats three years ago that terrorized residents in the far west Chicago suburbs.
At a sentencing hearing, Dr. Alexander Obolsky said Edwardsen has several psychological characteristics that indicate he could strike again, such as a lack of empathy and an inability to control his behavior.
"I find the defendant has no remorse and shows no expression of guilt," Obolsky said. "He has an increased risk for future violence."
In October, Edwardsen was convicted of attempted murder, animal torture and other offenses after a 10-day trial that hinged on the testimony of Obolsky and other mental health experts for both sides.
Edwardsen pleaded innocent by reason of insanity, claiming that he was on a mission from God to rid the world of drug dealers, prostitutes and other evil doers, and high on the drug DXM, an ingredient in cough syrup.
In his cross examination Thursday, defense attorney David Camic of Aurora read excerpts of a statement Edwardsen wrote to Kane County Judge Donald C. Hudson where Edwardsen apologized for his "abominable" crimes.
Camic also noted that Edwardsen tried to seek psychological help and maintained a serious relationship with his girlfriend at Jacobs High School in Algonquin before he launched his rampage.
Edwardsen told police that he stabbed a man with a steak knife Sept. 1, 2000, in Elgin's Tyler Creek Forest Preserve, and hacked a woman with a hatchet three days later on a Carpentersville street.
He also said he entered the home of his former baby sitter on Sept. 9, 2000, and disemboweled two of her cats and stabbed a third. One of the cats later died.
Assistant Kane County State's Attorney Greg Sams said he might read statements from Edwardsen's victims before Hudson metes out a punishment.
Camic is expected to present testimony on Edwardsen's behalf from another mental-health expert when the hearing continues in January 2004.