Kalebu, Testifying in His Own Defense, Says His God Told Him to Attack His Enemies

At the Isaiah Kalebu trial this morning, Kalebu—dressed in gray slacks, yellow shirt, and black tie, and testifying in his own defense—was asked by defense attorney Ramona Brandes whether he had any information about the events of July 19, 2009.

Before a packed courtroom that included the survivor of the attacks, Kalebu replied:

"I was there. And I was told by my God and the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to attack my enemies. I did so. I followed the instructions of my God."

Brandes then asked Kalebu whether he has ever been diagnosed with a mental illness.

Kalebu said: "Yeah, I have been diagnosed several times."

The jury—which has been repeatedly brought in and out of the courtroom while the visibility of Kalebu's restraints was checked and re-checked (the restraints were deemed not visible), and a request by the defense for a new competency evaluation was considered (Judge Michael Hayden denied the request), and the import of Kalebu's in-front-of-the-jury admission of mental illness was argued over (Judge Hayden ruled that it "opened the door" to the prosecution calling homicide detectives who can testify to Kalebu's demeanor after he was arrested)—is now back in its room as the prosecution decides what it wants to do next.