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Mentally ill man not guilty of killing dad

AAPComment News

A MENTALLY ill Perth man who believed his parents were cult leaders and had to be “put to sleep” has been found not guilty of murdering his dad and trying to kill his mum with a knife due to unsoundness of mind.

Nigel Paul Chaytor, 42, faced a judge-alone trial in the West Australian Supreme Court accused of murdering 72-year-old Keith Chaytor and attempting to kill Estelle Chaytor on April 27 last year at their home in Kelmscott.

Justice Lindy Jenkins handed down her verdict on Tuesday, saying Mr Chaytor was in such a state of mental impairment as to deprive him of the capacity to control his actions.

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“The accused is not criminally responsible for his actions,” she said.

Mr Chaytor’s first psychotic episode happened in February 2014 and he was subsequently diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Days before the attack, Mr Chaytor’s parents became concerned he was not taking his medication and his father sought help from a mental health service.

Plans were made for someone to speak to him, but the attack happened before the meeting could take place.

Mr Chaytor stabbed his father several times in the chest and arm.

He then turned on his mother, repeatedly stabbing her in the chest, neck and arm.

After the attack, Mr Chaytor told police: “They are manipulative and had to be put to sleep.”

He also said a spirit told him it “had to be done”, and he felt free and happy to have “two evil people” out of his life.

In a video recorded interview with police, Mr Chaytor said: “I just knew what I had to do to get rid of the cult leaders.”

Justice Jenkins made a custody order, which means he will be held indefinitely at a psychiatric facility where he will be treated.