Man accused of killing his two younger siblings in Colorado Springs ruled ‘completely sane’
A trial date has been set in February for the Colorado Springs man accused of fatally stabbing his five and seven-year-old siblings.
Based on the finding of state psychiatrists, a judge ruled this week that 21-year-old Malik Murphy was ‘completely sane’ at the time of the alleged murders.
It was a story that shocked the state and nation. Back in 2017, Murphy was charged with killing his younger brother and sister and stabbing his father in the neck. Court documents say Murphy admitted to authorities that he planned on killing his entire family and burying them in the backyard.
But how could someone who admitted to murdering their siblings and had a history of mental health issues in the past, be ruled sane?
Child therapist Robert Crouse says there’s a difference between insanity and having a personality disorder.
He says it’s possible Murphy is a sociopath or had a mental breakdown at the time of the murders, which are not the same as being mentally insane.
“The insanity plea means that I was completely checked out,” Crouse says, “whereas there are other personality disorders that could clearly describe these behaviors.”
Murphy’s public defender could have hired a different doctor for a second opinion, but he said no qualified psychiatrist would do it for the amount the state is willing to pay.
Criminal defense attorney Jeremy Loew says that could actually benefit the defense if the jury finds Murphy guilty.
“The defense is setting up an opportunity to have the case overturned on appeal,” Loew says.
Loew says the reason why is because, “They’re saying that we could not afford to give the defense that we needed because the state wouldn’t pay the rates that would needed to be paid.”
Whether that strategy is needed, depends on what the jury decides at Murphy’s trial which is set to begin on February 18th.
KRDO did get a statement from Murphy’s parents about their son being deemed, ‘completely sane’:
“We know Noah and Sophia are at peace with the Lord Jesus Christ. That fact comforts and guides us in our daily walk, especially while waiting for justice from our legal system. In our pain, we still are unsure what that justice even looks like, but we are certain it isn’t Malik going to trial with a defense of not guilty by reason of insanity when he has been found to be legally sane.
“We ultimately trust in the Lord; He is faithful and our God of justice. “
