Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 24, 1994 TAG: 9402240065
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Short
Bobbitt would enter mental-health treatment and make progress reports to the court, lawyer Lisa Kemler said. The jury in Bobbitt's malicious wounding trial acquitted her by reason of insanity after lawyers said domestic abuse left her temporarily insane.
Bobbitt entered a state mental hospital hours after the Jan. 21 verdict.
"We're very hopeful the judge is going to release her based on some type of conditional release program," Kemler said in a phone interview from her Alexandria office.
Bobbitt is due in court Monday. Prince William County Circuit Judge Herman Whisenant Jr. will decide if she must remain in the hospital for further treatment.
Whisenant could free Bobbitt outright, return her to the hospital or free her conditionally.
Both Kemler and one of the prosecutors in the case, Mary Grace O'Brien, said the third option is most likely.
"The goal is to allow a person into the community with treatment," said Dr. Russell Petrella, state Mental Health Services director.
A state psychiatrist and psychologist who evaluated Bobbitt presented their findings to the judge Wednesday.
by CNB