Neal Augenstein, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – The Montgomery County man who killed his psychiatrist five years ago will plead not guilty and not criminally responsible for the October 2011 murder of his roommate in the state hospital for the mentally ill, WTOP has learned.
Vitali Davydov allegedly murdered his roommate David Rico-Noyola in their maximum security room at the Clifton T. Perkins Hospital in Jessup on Oct. 21.
“We’ve had him examined by renowned forensic psychiatrist Neil Blumberg,” Davydov’s attorney Barry Helfand says.
“He told me ‘Barry, it’s a slam dunk — he’s still not criminally responsible.’ ”
In 2006, Davydov beat Rockville psychiatrist Wayne Fenton to death during an office visit. Fenton was treating Davydov for schizophrenia.
In 2007, Davydov pleaded guilty but not criminally responsible for Fenton’s death. He has since been treated at Perkins Hospital.
“We’ll be pleading not guilty and not criminally responsible unitil I learn the facts of the case,” Helfand says.
Helfand been told the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office plans to indict Davydov this week, at which time he will enter Davydov’s pleas.
Helfand says he has not learned a motive for Davydov to attack his roommate.
In 2007, Davydov told doctors he believed Fenton asked to be killed, because he wanted his soul freed from his body.
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(Copyright 2011 by WTOP. All rights reserved.)
