As some of you may or may not know, I research antisocial personality disorder, narcissism, borderline personality disorders and the like. I also serve on a community advisory board that oversees the civil commitment of sexually violent offenders.
I became interested in mental illness as a young child due to the conversations my parents had at the dinner table. They both worked at a psychiatric center for over 30 years. My father had 40 years of service. As a child, my parents would take me with them to get their paychecks, attend employee picnics and walk the psych wards with them. Very few of the patients did heinous acts to others. They were mostly tortured souls that suffered in a world of their own.
As an adult, I became a nurse with a deep interest in mental illness, due to my parents work and interest in helping others.
In recent years, I saw a change in behavior, as most others have noticed, in our society. Not a good change. Antisocial behavior is becoming the norm it seems. It disturbs me to know my children will live in a world where empathy, compassion and love are only empty words, that when used, are used to manipulate, control and abuse others.
School shootings, increase in domestic violence, sexual abuse, assaults and horrific murders are commonplace now.
Our community, for the most part, has been spared this type of behavior in the past. Unfortunately, it has come to us now. Drug related murders, increase in domestic violence and now a horrific mutilation of a person I know.
Harry Klages II called his father in the am of Thursday , January 31st to tell him he mutilated a man. His father's decision to call 911 and report what was said to him, saved a man's life, but that man suffered unspeakable torture.
It's been reported that this young 25 yo Harry Klages II had a history of "mental illness". He reportedly suffers from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and alchohol/drug abuse.
Let's take a closer look at this.
At a young age it's reported he had "issues".
He had been under probation for an unprovoked stabbing outside a local bar. His victim, in that case, said he went out in back of the bar to smoke a cigerette and was approached by Klages who said "I'm going to kill you". The victim stated he laughed it off, but was soon stabbed multiple times by Klages.
Another incident took place when Klages started yelling obscenities at a young woman that was accompanied by a small group. A male friend verbally defended her. Klages allegedly returned to a nearby apartment building, only to return a short time later wielding a hammer. He then smashed a windsheild and when confronted by a male about that, Klages then turned the hammer on him, striking him in the torso and other areas of his body.
He served 90 day in jail, followed by 5 years probation for these violent acts.
He's been arrested 6 times, two of which were felony charges. Twenty -five years old with 6 arrests and 2 felony charges!!!
Although he claims to be mentally ill, he knew enough to keep his mouth shut during police questioning and ask for his lawyer. His behavior upon arrest was noted as calm and cooperative. Usually when a schizophrenic or bipolar has a break, it lasts for at least 2 weeks. Funny how Klages behavior both before this crime and after the crime was considered "normal"
Mentally ill people that commit crimes usually tell what happened, as they have difficulty distinguishing right from wrong, reality vs fantasy.
I also find it curious that when he called his father to report the crime, he spoke in a voice his father stated sounded like "a demon". Pretty hokey if you ask me.
What is known is that this guy took his time torturing his victim, Andy Lesperance. Officers at the crime scene said the victim was "carved" not stabbed.
As reported, the victim Andy Lesperance, was "partially disemboweled, had his right eye gouged out, his left eye severely damaged and his genitals severed."
Now the attacker plays the "crazy card" which has been so useful to him in the past.
A person claiming to know Klages says he's a "nice guy".
Check out his myspace page. Does this sound like a "nice guy" to you???
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=85747213
Check out his myspace blog that is titled " To all that want to know the real me"
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=85747213&blogID=143144905
This guy has played the system. He's crazy alright...... crazy like a fox!
Andy Lesperance, a 51 year old guy who liked to party, albeit, maybe a bit too much, fell prey to the "nice guy" above. I believe he (Klages) chose Andy because Andy is a very small man ( 5 feet tall and maybe 120 #) and would not be much of a challenge for him, particularly if he was drunk, which seems to be the case. So very sad.
The probation department states Klages was a "model probationer" who attended his AA meetings and mental health counseling. I wouldn't call and person who abuses alchohol while on probation a "model probationer". It was said on another blog by someone claiming to be his ex girlfriend that his probation officer was told of his alchohol consumption and other things and nothing was done. Even this guy's parents were afraid of him. While living at his parents home, he apparently threatened to kill his step sister, this according to another blog.
It's puzzling to me how someone can commit such crimes and get away with only a slap on the wrist. No wonder he repeated this type of crime. He was never held accountable for the other violent acts he commited.
My prayers go out to Andy's family and Klages family.
It's been reported that Andy is recovering but will have a very long road ahead. I can't imagine how difficult it will be for him to move forward. As a man, to be disfigured in that way will be difficult to overcome. I only hope he finds the strength to do so. It's been quite some time since I've seen Andy but I am hopeful he'll be o.k.
5 comments:
I was wondering whatever happened to the grand jury that mr klages was supposed to go before? It's already June and nothing has been heard, all we know is that he is in Arthur Kill Correctional Facility a psychiatric prison in NY City. Did this man already get sentenced for what he did to this poor man? Or is he sitting there until they bring it to a grand jury, and how long with this be?
Your guess is as good as mine! I haven't heard a peep about this. I have a feeling that he will spend some time in the psych prison, they will evaluate him again and then we will hear what will happen (in regards to grand jury action etc). Usually, cases like this take time to get to court. They are afraid if all the "I's" and all the "T's" aren't crossed, they will blow it. I do hope they have their crap together this time!
Well I heard the man also tried to cut off the mans left leg, and will be sentenced before the grand jury tomorrow. Rumor in his hometown is that their was a mess up in the case and he took a plea for 6 months and then after that will go to a long term care place, which they will let him out in a year or two, that is not right, I hope those rumors are not true.
I heard that Klages isn't going for the plea deal after all and wants a trial. I think HE thinks he'll do better going to trial than pleaing out.... good luck on that one.
Well, He'll be found guilty more than likely and he can sit in jail for life instead of 20 years. Oh... he also has to serve time for the probation violation and also for something else. At least he won't be out on the street hurting other innocent people.
Take care
He just pled guilty and got38 years.
Too bad his father or someone else didn't simply put this animal down like the rabid dog he is.
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