MA - 3 elderly people found dead in Newton home from apparent homicide, 25 June 2023 *arrest*

[Gardenista]

The arraignment of Christopher Ferguson will be livestreamed on this page. He's set to appear after the court breaks for lunch.

The 41-year-old man charged in the triple murder that rocked the Newton, Massachusetts, community Sunday morning is due in court on Tuesday, as the city grapples with what has been described as a "terrible tragedy."

Man charged in Newton triple killing held without bail in 1st court appearance

The man charged in the triple killing that rocked the Newton, Massachusetts, community Sunday appeared in court on Tuesday, pleading not guilty to the charge of murder he currently faces. Christopher Ferguson was ordered held without bail.

www.nbcboston.com

Live in the courtroom now, but he's not there yet

 

[Yemelyan]

I asked and moderation is allowing me to share this link:

Boston Association of Black Journalists | https://www.foxnews.com/video/6330151549112 | Facebook

https://www.foxnews.com/video/6330151549112 Boston friends/former colleagues: If any of you are involved in or assisting with the coverage of the Newton triple murders, please as always be mindful...

www.facebook.com

This is a post by a member of the Boston Association of Black Journalists, who has some good insight into the suspect's situation as the poster knows the Ferguson family personally. The post clarifies that it was initially stated that Ferguson was "known to police," but that District Attorney Ryan later revised that statement to indicate that he was "known" due to Newton being a tight-knit community where individuals may have even gone to high school together, not necessarily because he was known by police to have criminal tendencies.

Of course, it is also being reported that he may have had a case against him dismissed many years ago.

 

[Sincerely]

So sad to see the family there and realizing what they are going through right now. Camera person made me feel a bit awkward when staying so focused on family. They noticed too, it seemed.

 

[Seattle1]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1673756948867457030

 

[Seattle1]

Man charged in Newton triple killing held without bail in 1st court appearance

The man charged in the triple killing that rocked the Newton, Massachusetts, community Sunday appeared in court on Tuesday, pleading not guilty to the charge of murder he currently faces. Christopher Ferguson was ordered held without bail.

www.nbcboston.com

6/27/23

The man charged in the triple killing that rocked the Newton, Massachusetts, community Sunday appeared in court on Tuesday, pleading not guilty.

Christopher Ferguson, 41, was ordered held without bail, which his attorney did not oppose.

Ferguson is due back in court on July 25.

The alleged murder has rocked the Newton neighborhood of Nonantum, and the city is grappling with what has been described as a "terrible tragedy."

 

[Gardenista]

Christopher Ferguson Redacted Probable Cause Statement | PDF

This is a redacted copy of the probable cause statement for Christopher Ferguson's arrest filed in Newton District Court. Ferguson was arrested Monday and charged in connection with the killing of three Newton residents in their home over the weekend.

www.scribd.com

 

[Gardenista]

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[Gardenista]

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[sds71]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1673819821505490950

 

[realanastasia]

Christopher Ferguson Redacted Probable Cause Statement | PDF

This is a redacted copy of the probable cause statement for Christopher Ferguson's arrest filed in Newton District Court. Ferguson was arrested Monday and charged in connection with the killing of three Newton residents in their home over the weekend.

www.scribd.com

So the affadavit confirms CF had bipolar disorder and, per his ex girlfriend, had been in a manic state since February of this year. CF’s sister, who he lived with, described his recent behavior as erratic. CF’s ex girlfriend (of 18 months) and he broke up in January, and his employment with the local schools ended (unclear circumstances surrounding this) in March.

CF and the ex girlfriend had been hanging out (and he, at least, had been drinking) for a few hours the night before the murders, but they had an argument which led to him storming out and, presumably, wandering around the neighborhood until he inexplicably decided to commit these horrific crime.

 

[Seattle1]

So the affadavit confirms CF had bipolar disorder and, per his ex girlfriend, had been in a manic state since February of this year. CF’s sister, who he lived with, described his recent behavior as erratic. CF’s ex girlfriend (of 18 months) and he broke up in January, and his employment with the local schools ended (unclear circumstances surrounding this) in March.

CF and the ex girlfriend had been hanging out (and he, at least, had been drinking) for a few hours the night before the murders, but they had an argument which led to him storming out and, presumably, wandering around the neighborhood until he inexplicably decided to commit these horrific crime.

IMO, the brutality inflicted on the three unfortunate souls was most likely chemically induced and not the result of a drunken night out or resultant of the defendant's alleged bipolar disorder.

Most important, Bipolar is not a psychotic illness such as schizophrenia that can sometimes be associated with aggressive or violent behavior.

Violence is not a symptom of psychotic illness. The relationship between mental illness and violence is complex. Research suggests there is little relationship between mental illness and violence when substance use is not involved.

Tired of bipolar getting a bad rap as a mental illness linked to violence, I followed a study a few years ago that cited 3% of non-affected siblings from the control group committed a violent crime whereas after a bipolar diagnosis, the control group committing a violent crime represented 6%.

But more important here is that the violent acts were against themselves or those the subjects had personal relationships with and not strangers or random acts. Population-wise, it's still relatively low where 300 with bipolar committed a violent crime compared to 1200 non-affected subjects.

Mental Illness and Violence

 

[agreen36]

IMO, the brutality inflicted on the three unfortunate souls was most likely chemically induced and not the result of a drunken night out or resultant of the defendant's alleged bipolar disorder.

Most important, Bipolar is not a psychotic illness such as schizophrenia that can sometimes be associated with aggressive or violent behavior.

Violence is not a symptom of psychotic illness. The relationship between mental illness and violence is complex. Research suggests there is little relationship between mental illness and violence when substance use is not involved.

Tired of bipolar getting a bad rap as a mental illness linked to violence, I followed a study a few years ago that cited 3% of non-affected siblings from the control group committed a violent crime whereas after a bipolar diagnosis, the control group committing a violent crime represented 6%.

But more important here is that the violent acts were against themselves or those the subjects had personal relationships with and not strangers or random acts. Population-wise, it's still relatively low where 300 with bipolar committed a violent crime compared to 1200 non-affected subjects.

Mental Illness and Violence

A lot of what you said is correct however Bipolar can absolutely be a psychotic illness. It is triggered particularly during mania but can also be present during depressive phases. I have personal experience as my brother who I mentioned earlier in this thread is currently experiencing a manic phase of bipolar and was absolutely experiencing psychosis.

 

[Seattle1]

A lot of what you said is correct however Bipolar can absolutely be a psychotic illness. It is triggered particularly during mania but can also be present during depressive phases. I have personal experience as my brother who I mentioned earlier in this thread is currently experiencing a manic phase of bipolar and was absolutely experiencing psychosis.

I'm sorry about your brother dealing with psychotic symptoms.

In my post, I was referencing a Medical study where Bipolar is not classed as a Psychotic Disorder. I did not mean to imply that Bipolar can't present with psychotic symptoms (i.e., secondary psychosis), and sorry if that was unclear.

Again, I agree with WebMD that substance-induced psychotic disorder is alive and well.

Substance-induced psychotic disorder: This condition is caused by the use of or withdrawal from drugs, such as hallucinogens and crack cocaine, that cause hallucinations, delusions, or confused speech.

What Are Psychotic Disorders?

WebMD explains symptoms of schizophrenia and closely related conditions. Learn what to watch for and when to seek help.

www.webmd.com

 

[Seattle1]

IMO, this is also telling that the defendant wasn't ordered to undergo psych evaluation but instead is in jail after a 72 hold.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1673853723414593539

 

[Yemelyan]

A judge has ruled CF is incompetent to stand trial right now:

Judge determines accused killer of 3 not competent to stand trial

The man accused of stabbing and beating three people to death in June will remain at a Massachusetts mental hospital.

www.wcvb.com

He'll stay in Bridgewater State Hospital for now.

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

this is what happens when people dont have access to mental health services, I hope this is a learning experience, however I doubt it will be, we see these situations all the time and nothing changes.

What's the solution? I see this comment often everywhere online and it's never followed by a realistic plan for a solution. IMO, we can't lock up everyone who's ill because of the very small number who may be violent.