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Accused Child Murderer Levi Aron Has "Personality Disorder"

Ben Yakas

Published Aug 10, 2011

Modified Aug 10, 2011

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Ben Yakas

Published Aug 10, 2011

Modified Aug 10, 2011

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Although the man who confessed to killing and dismembering 8-year-old Hasidic boy Leiby Kletzky last month was recently found mentally competent to stand trial, a psychiatric evaluation has found that he has a personality disorder. Levi Aron, who has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and kidnapping charges, is portrayed as a troubled, confused man with a "flat" and "apathetic" mood in the report, according to the AP. In addition, it was revealed that his sister died while institutionalized for schizophrenia.

This week, Aron was moved from Bellevue Hospital to Rikers Island; but the accused killer is being housed apart from the other inmates and being kept on suicide watch. "He's in an area all by himself. They opened it up just for him," a jail supervisor told the News. They also note that it costs the city more than $70,000 to house an inmate on Rikers for a year, and that number shoots up with the added expense of a personal monitor.

Last weekend, Aron's self-proclaimed best friend called him "borderline retarded." Police also released his chilling full confession, which included bizarre quips to police after he was arrested, such as "I'm famous." Aron's defense attorney's have previously claimed that the court-ordered psychological exam found that Aron had been hearing voices and “telling him to take his own life for what he did.”

The "Jewish Elvis," Hasidic singer Lipa Schmeltzer, has unveiled his seven minute long tribute to Leiby, "Leiby Forever." He spoke to the News about his motivation for writing the song: "Leiby represents a message. We couldn't find Leiby alive. But there are so many people alive who are still lost. Fathers without jobs. Kids without food. We need to make the world a happier place." A portion of the sales from "Leiby Forever," which is now on sale at iTunes and TopJewishMusic.com, will go to the Leiby Kletzky Memorial Fund.

Tagged

brooklyn

dismemberment

leby kletzky

levi aron

murder

orthodox jew

personality disorder

Ben Yakas

Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

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