bobdina
05-15-2010, 05:04 PM
Insanity defense includes SEAL claim
By Lance M. Bacon - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday May 15, 2010 9:02:44 EDT
A former sailor charged with killing his wife has opted for an insanity defense, saying he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from nine years as a SEAL.
But Thomas Curtis was never a SEAL.
According to personnel records obtained by Navy Times, Curtis served from 1981 to 1985. The gunner’s mate (missiles) third class served aboard the cruiser Jouett, earning a Battle “E,” two Sea Service Deployment ribbons and a Good Conduct Medal. But no Trident.
Curtis, 45, of Muncie, Ind., is charged with the Dec. 13 stabbing death of his 27-year-old wife, Crystal.
Court records describe Curtis as telling police that he kept a journal of his military exploits and the resulting emotional distress. He claimed to suffer from nightmares, sleep disorders, hearing voices, seizures and sporadic violent outbursts, but he said he never had hurt his wife.
Prosecutor Judi Calhoun told Navy Times she was suspicious of Curtis’ SEAL claims and was trying to get his official Navy records. Public defender Kelly Bryan said he had read about the claims in the newspaper, but also was waiting on official word from the Navy. Ultimately, the notice of “defense of mental disease or defect” filed on Curtis’ behalf was not based upon those claims, Bryan said.
“Whether he was a Navy SEAL or not, it’s whether he has the ability at the time of the alleged offense to distinguish right from wrong,” he said. “We’re more focused on his mental faculties and diagnoses.
“There is ample evidence that Mr. Curtis has got legitimate mental health problems,” Bryan said, “and that has been documented through the [Veterans Affairs Department].”
It is unknown whether Curtis had spoken openly about his claimed SEAL connection before the arrest; many men who pretend to be SEALs are seeking attention, according to those who track military fakers.
But after the slaying, Curtis’ brother Robert told The Star Press newspaper of Muncie that his brother had told family members he had been a SEAL but never talked about his experiences. He said Curtis told relatives, “You don’t ever want to know that.”
According to court records, Curtis called 911 about 12:30 a.m. on Dec. 13, saying he thought “he may have killed his wife.” Police arrived at the couple’s mobile home to find Crystal Curtis with a dagger lodged in her chest. She was pronounced dead at the hospital soon after. Thomas Curtis later told police he didn’t remember what had happened.
“It was a tragedy. Just a complete tragedy. That’s the best way I can portray it,” Bryan said. “From the persons that I’ve interviewed, [they were] very nice people in a very loving relationship. Something is amiss.”
Curtis is being held in the Delaware County, Ind., jail. He is “as good as can be expected,” Bryan said. “He is really upset about the death of his wife. He’s coping. He is receiving his medications.”
A court-ordered mental health evaluation, requested by Bryan, will be a key part of the pretrial hearing set for Aug. 25. Its contents are sealed until then.
“Whether or not a jury or, in the event of a bench trial, a judge accepts it, I can’t predict that,” Bryan said. “But is seems to me there is some pretty strong evidence indicating” Curtis was not able to appreciate the wrongfulness of his conduct at the time of the offense, he said.
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/05/navy_SEAL_claim_051510w/
By Lance M. Bacon - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday May 15, 2010 9:02:44 EDT
A former sailor charged with killing his wife has opted for an insanity defense, saying he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from nine years as a SEAL.
But Thomas Curtis was never a SEAL.
According to personnel records obtained by Navy Times, Curtis served from 1981 to 1985. The gunner’s mate (missiles) third class served aboard the cruiser Jouett, earning a Battle “E,” two Sea Service Deployment ribbons and a Good Conduct Medal. But no Trident.
Curtis, 45, of Muncie, Ind., is charged with the Dec. 13 stabbing death of his 27-year-old wife, Crystal.
Court records describe Curtis as telling police that he kept a journal of his military exploits and the resulting emotional distress. He claimed to suffer from nightmares, sleep disorders, hearing voices, seizures and sporadic violent outbursts, but he said he never had hurt his wife.
Prosecutor Judi Calhoun told Navy Times she was suspicious of Curtis’ SEAL claims and was trying to get his official Navy records. Public defender Kelly Bryan said he had read about the claims in the newspaper, but also was waiting on official word from the Navy. Ultimately, the notice of “defense of mental disease or defect” filed on Curtis’ behalf was not based upon those claims, Bryan said.
“Whether he was a Navy SEAL or not, it’s whether he has the ability at the time of the alleged offense to distinguish right from wrong,” he said. “We’re more focused on his mental faculties and diagnoses.
“There is ample evidence that Mr. Curtis has got legitimate mental health problems,” Bryan said, “and that has been documented through the [Veterans Affairs Department].”
It is unknown whether Curtis had spoken openly about his claimed SEAL connection before the arrest; many men who pretend to be SEALs are seeking attention, according to those who track military fakers.
But after the slaying, Curtis’ brother Robert told The Star Press newspaper of Muncie that his brother had told family members he had been a SEAL but never talked about his experiences. He said Curtis told relatives, “You don’t ever want to know that.”
According to court records, Curtis called 911 about 12:30 a.m. on Dec. 13, saying he thought “he may have killed his wife.” Police arrived at the couple’s mobile home to find Crystal Curtis with a dagger lodged in her chest. She was pronounced dead at the hospital soon after. Thomas Curtis later told police he didn’t remember what had happened.
“It was a tragedy. Just a complete tragedy. That’s the best way I can portray it,” Bryan said. “From the persons that I’ve interviewed, [they were] very nice people in a very loving relationship. Something is amiss.”
Curtis is being held in the Delaware County, Ind., jail. He is “as good as can be expected,” Bryan said. “He is really upset about the death of his wife. He’s coping. He is receiving his medications.”
A court-ordered mental health evaluation, requested by Bryan, will be a key part of the pretrial hearing set for Aug. 25. Its contents are sealed until then.
“Whether or not a jury or, in the event of a bench trial, a judge accepts it, I can’t predict that,” Bryan said. “But is seems to me there is some pretty strong evidence indicating” Curtis was not able to appreciate the wrongfulness of his conduct at the time of the offense, he said.
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/05/navy_SEAL_claim_051510w/