Feb 22, 2008 5:04 pm US/Eastern
Psychologist Murder Suspect Found Fit For Trial
David Tarloff Remains Remanded To Bellevue Hospital
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
There were two major developments Friday in the case of the man accused in the brutal murder of an East Side therapist.
On Friday afternoon a grand jury handed up an indictment in the case and CBS 2 HD has learned the results of psychiatric evaluation of the prime suspect are in.
David Tarloff is mentally fit to stand trial, that's the finding of two psychiatrists at Bellevue Hospital Center, where he has been since his arrest for the brutal murder of psychologist Kathryn Faughey last week.
"It's very easy to find somebody fit," Tarloff attorney Bryan Konoski. "It does not mean it had any mental understanding at the time this supposedly took place."
Tarloff's attorney said he wants an independent psychiatric evaluation of his client before he determines which way he defense will go.
"At this point I don't have all of the facts in evidence before me," Konoski said. "I have to take everything a step at a time. I have to speak to him. I have to compile medical records and investigate this fully."
According to the NYPD, after repeatedly stabbing Dr. Faughey, Tarloff slashed and seriously wounded Dr. Kent Shinbach, a psychiatrist working in the same suite. Shinbach played a role in Tarloff's diagnosis of schizophrenia 17 years ago and was his principal target in last week's attack, the police said.
Tarloff told the police that he had sought out Shinbach to rob him and then intended to leave the country with his ailing mother, who has been living in a series of nursing homes since 2003.
With Friday's ruling, both the defense and prosecution will begin preparing for trial.
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