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Murder Suspect Maksim Gelman: "Sometimes, My Mind Isn't Right"
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Feb 16, 2011
Modified Feb 16, 2011
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By
Jaya Saxena
Published Feb 16, 2011
Modified Feb 16, 2011
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Accused slasher Maksim Gelman is currently being held in the Bellevue psych ward after failing the intake physical and mental exam at Rikers Island, and yesterday he gave a chilling interview to reporters. On one hand, he admitted, "Sometimes, my mind isn't right," and said of his stabbing rampage, "The proof is in the pudding. I'm trying to make my peace with God!" But lest you think he's actually taking responsibility for his alleged action, he also ranted, "The DEA set me up. They were there the whole time. They let this happen, they're going to kill me. It's a conspiracy."
Gelman had been arrested in January for possession of crack-cocaine, and has previously claimed that he was set up. His responses seemed more erratic as the interview went on, once asking reporters, "How do I know you're who you say you are?" and storming out of the room. A correction officer warned, "You don't want to get him agitated. He might hit you."
Gelman claims he was abused when he was apprehended and brought to the precinct, saying, "I've been beaten. They choked me. They tied me at the precinct. I was in the dark. They didn't let me see a lawyer." However, the brother of victim Yelena Bluchenko doesn't believe any of it. He told the Post, "Neighbors were trying to save my sister. There were many other eyewitnesses who saw what he did. What kind of a 'set-up' is that?" Gelman has been charged with four counts of murder and is being held without bail.
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