Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, February 4, 1994 TAG: 9402040203
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
A psychiatrist and a psychologist must prepare a report on her mental condition before a Feb. 28 hearing. Bobbitt was admitted to Central State Hospital in Petersburg hours after a jury found her innocent by reason of insanity last month.
"The psychiatrist has already seen her. Whether they have reached any conclusions, I don't know," attorney Blair Howard said.
Dr. Anthony Pellanro, a psychiatrist at Central State, is teamed with Cynthia McClure, a clinical psychologist from a state outpatient mental health center in Marion, Howard said.
The pair will assess whether Bobbitt poses a danger to herself or others. Circuit Judge Herman Whisenant Jr. will use their report to decide if Bobbitt should be released from the hospital.
Whisenant could order Bobbitt committed for an initial term of six months or require she receive mental treatment outside the hospital. He also could free her outright.
Bobbitt, 24, was tried on a charge of malicious wounding, a felony that carries up to 20 years in prison.
At her trial, psychiatrists and psychologists testified she suffers from depression and a variety of other mental disorders. She maintained that years of physical and sexual abuse at the hands of John Bobbitt drove her to attack him with a kitchen knife June 23.
Lorena Bobbitt, a manicurist, is handling confinement well, her lawyers and a close friend said.
"The place looks like something out of a horror movie, but her spirits are really good," said Bobbie Lore, a friend and former co-worker at a nail salon. Lore visited the hospital Sunday.
"She's doing their nails in there. She's keeping in practice."
by CNB