The man accused of fatally stabbing 6-year-old Lauren Belius may have been suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, public defenders said Friday.

David L. Trebilcock, 30, will undergo an examination by the Oneida County Mental Health Department, Sherrill Judge Neal Rose ruled Friday morning.

Dawn Catera Lupi, first assistant district attorney of the Oneida County, said the examination will determine if Trebilcock is competent to stand trial and understands the legal system. He pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder charges earlier this week.

But public defenders appointed to represent Trebilcock said they are in the process of piecing together a history of mental health issues. Public defender Frank Nebush said early conversations have involved Trebilcock's father and uncle in Florida.



"It is indicating he has not been mentally right for some time, on and off," Nebush said.



Trebilcock never displayed violent behavior until July 19, when Allison Belius awoke to the sound of her daughter screaming for help. The 36-year-old mother tried to enter the bedroom of her twin 6-year-old daughters, but she found the door barricaded with a dresser, police said. As she forced her way inside about 8:30 a.m., police said, Belius saw Trebilcock, her live-in boyfriend, stabbing Lauren with a five-inch steak knife.



But Trebilcock's explanation for the attack was not rational, Nebush said.



"He said Jesus made him do it," he said.



Nebush said interviews with Trebilcock have also indicated mental health issues.



"He seems to speak coherently and then starts talking about things that are not rational," Nebush said.





View full size

Nebush said the average onset of schizophrenia is age 19, but can evolve without proper treatment. Nebush said he didn't know if Trebilcock had ever been diagnosed or prescribed any medications.



"Our investigation is just starting," Nebush said.



Trebilcock was led into the courtroom by a pair of Oneida County Sheriff's deputies, bandages on his handcuffed wrists.



Allison Belius sat in the third row, flanked by neighbors Bob Adams and Carolyn Kramer, who witnessed the aftermath of the tragedy on Primo Avenue.

View full size

Although the appearance lasted less than five minutes, folding chairs were brought in to accommodate the standing room only crowd of neighbors, friends and relatives. Family supporters gathered outside the city police department awaiting Trebilcock's arrival, holding signs that read "Protect our Children" and "God Said Thou Shall Not Kill - and You Did." The group chanted, "Justice for Lauren!" as a police car carrying Trebilcock drove into the parking lot.



"He looked right at us," said Jennifer Olmsted of Oneida, who helped organize a candlelight vigil on the night of Laurens death.



Allison Belius joined the group after the court appearance, standing silently. Her own wrist was wrapped in bandages after surgery to repair injuries she suffered trying to stop Trebilcock.



The tragedy has rocked a community so quaint that its courtroom features a replica of the Norman Rockwell painting, "Freedom from Fear." The image depicting a mother and father tucking two small children into bed appeared in The Saturday Evening Post in 1943.



Sherrill residents Jennifer and Brent Butler sat in the second row of the courtroom with their children, 13-year-old Gavin and 10-year-old Sydney. The family took Tae Kwon do lessons with Allison Belius, her children and Trebilcock.



On Friday, Jennifer, Gavin and Sydney Butler held large photographs of Lauren in their laps.



"He stole Lauren from the world," said Jennifer Butler. "Her voice will carry on through us."

Related

» Trebilcock says Jesus told him to kill 6-year-old Lauren Belius [Oneida Daily Dispatch]

» David Trebilcock in court [YNN]