Dad who attacked 8-year-old daughter ruled insane (Annapolis, Maryland)

Dad MARK ANTHONY DORSEY, who was previously diagnosed with schizophrenia, is "not criminally responsible for his actions." This according to the judge who was presiding over Dorsey's trial for attempted 1st-degree murder of his 8-year-old daughter. I don't have any problem with that; the evidence suggests to me that Dad was seriously mentally ill. But remember this case when the Fathers Rights people say that only abusive/murderous mothers get off claiming mental illness. Just not true.

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/top/2009/08/26-37/Dad-who-attacked-8-year-old-daughter-ruled-insane.html

Dad who attacked 8-year-old daughter ruled insane
Defense: He believed he was protecting girl from demons
By SCOTT DAUGHERTY, Staff Writer
Published 08/26/09

He wasn't trying to kill his daughter, the defense attorney said.

Yes, Mark Anthony Dorsey did cover the 8-year-old girl in olive oil one night last February. And, yes, he was sitting next to a pile of smoldering paper at the time.

But in Dorsey's twisted, schizophrenic mind, he was God, the oil was holy, and his actions were going to protect the child from evil demons.

"He was anointing her," said defense attorney Domenic Iamele, explaining yesterday how his client thought a radio and laptop computer were possessed and trying to hurt him and his daughter.

A judge ruled yesterday in county Circuit Court in Annapolis that Dorsey, 44, of Glen Burnie, was "not criminally responsible" for his actions Feb. 4 when police interrupted the ritual, wrestled the girl from his arms and placed him in handcuffs.

Circuit Court Judge Paul A. Hackner accepted the findings of a state doctor, who interviewed Dorsey earlier this year and determined he could not separate right from wrong at the time of the incident and was therefore legally insane.

He then ordered Dorsey - who was previously diagnosed with schizophrenia - to be held at a state mental hospital until doctors determine he is no longer a danger to society and a judge orders his release.

According to prosecutors and court documents, Dorsey was delusional at about 9 p.m. Feb. 4 and fighting with his family. He forced his mother and nephew out of the house at knife point and locked the door.

Assistant State's Attorney Anne Leitess - who did not contest the doctor's findings - noted that Dorsey actually stabbed a laptop, slashed at his nephew with a knife and threatened to drink his blood.

Diane Cornish, Dorsey's mother, called 911 from outside the home. Officers responded and quickly decided it was best to enter the house and rescue Dorsey's daughter.

With a neighbor's key, two officers opened the door, went inside, and found Dorsey sitting at a kitchen table pouring olive oil on himself and his daughter. A few feet away, they noticed the electric stove was on and a pile of paper and envelopes were smoldering on top.

The officers jumped on Dorsey, wrestled the girl from his grip and took her to safety. Dorsey continued to fight with police, yelling that he was Jesus and that they were false prophets.

During the melee, Dorsey tried to get to the stove, police said. If he had reached the stove, the oil would have ignited, fire officials told police.

The officers eventually used a Taser on Dorsey, subduing him enough to place him in handcuffs.
They then took Dorsey to Baltimore Washington Medical Center in Glen Burnie for an emergency psychological evaluation.

Iamele, the defense attorney, said his client broke down Feb. 4 after suffering three setbacks: he lost his job as a line cook at BWI International Airport, his wife of several years and his apartment. The stress was too much for Dorsey, who started believing demons were literally trying to hurt him.

Cornish, who will take care of Dorsey if he is released from a hospital, said it is common in the Christian faith to anoint people with oil. Iamele added that Dorsey was trying to burn the paper - a letter from a counsel - on the stove because he believed it, too, was "demon-fed."

Dorsey was charged Feb. 5 with attempted first-degree murder, attempted-second degree murder, and numerous lesser charges in the attacks on his daughter and nephew.

After coming to court yesterday afternoon in a dark green jail uniform and slowly answering several questions about his state of mind, Dorsey, as part of an agreement with prosecutors, was found not criminally responsible of two counts or reckless endangerment.

Iamele said yesterday that his client was feeling better. He attributed Dorsey's improved state of mind to a new antipsychotic medicine.

Hackner reminded Dorsey in court that he must keep taking the drugs. He told him not to stop just because he is feeling better or because he doesn't like a side effect.

"The type of medicine you take can work miracles," he said. "Follow the advice of the medical staff."