Son seeks estate of mother he killed

[RiverStone]

Source: The Seattle Times

Joshua Hoge doesn't need much spending money these days. Behind the locked doors of Western State Hospital, his basic needs — food, clothes and a constant stream of antipsychotic medications to keep his delusions at bay — are paid for by the state.

But Hoge has the chance to one day become a wealthy man.

From inside Western State, where he's spent most of his time since stabbing his mother and brother to death with a butcher knife in 1999, Hoge is fighting to inherit part of his mother's estate.

Should he succeed, it could be a windfall for the 37-year-old schizophrenic, who was found not guilty of the slayings by reason of insanity.



Read more: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004105042_slayer03m.html

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Mr. Hoge may have been found "not guilty" by reason of insanity for the crime, but he did indeed kill his brother and mother. There is no ambiguity there. I can see him going after county or medical personnel if they failed to administer/monitor the proper medication (which resulted in his actions); though, IMO, he should not benefit from the estate of a person he violently killed.

Legalese aside - it's simply not right.

[Bonhomme Richard]

1. The definition of Hutzpah.

[phantom power]

5. he's an orphan!

[LiberalFighter]

11. Orphan status only applies to minor children when their parents die.

[TomInTib]

2. I can't believe they will ever release that crazy bastard.

If the decision is ever made to discharge him, he should be sent to live with whoever made the decision.

[harmonicon]

10. that's a fantastic idea

[Fed_Up_Grammy]

3. I can't see him going after anyone,even county or medical

personnel.

A condition like his is hard to treat and the administrators can't foresee all of the possibilites in a case like his.

[SoCalDem]

4. Myabe the court will show the poor little orphan some mercy & give him the money

those prison candy machines charge a lot:eyes:
:rofl:

[slackmaster]

6. It takes all kinds of people

To make this world go 'round.

[salin]

7. the article paints a really sad, and tragic

story for all involved.

[saracat]

8. What a sad story. I think money should be allotted to the care of both mentally ill brothers and

this man should never be set free. I do not believe he could ever, sadly, be trusted out in society. What a sad story!

[LiberalFighter]

12. I agree. The killer son should not receive all of it.

The share for the killer son should be put into a trust fund for the express purpose of his mental care. If he is ever released and judged mentally fit then the remaining if any should revert to the other son also needing mental care.

[greiner3]

9. I think that the voices;

He hears need to stay locked up and he be set free, if and when he is cured of his particular demons. Damn people, and you call yourselves 'liberal?' Look in the mirror and ask yourself, 'And if it were me?'