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Jury: Schlosser not capable of standing trial

The Dallas Morning News, USA
Feb. 14, 2005
Jennifer Emily
www.dallasnews.com

ReligionNewsBlog.com • Tuesday February 15, 2005

McKINNEY – A jury deliberated for about nine minutes this afternoon before determining that a Plano mother accused of cutting off her baby’s arms and killing her is not mentally capable of standing trial.

Paperwork committing Dena Schlosser, 36, to Vernon State Hospital for 120 days is expected to be filed Tuesday. Mrs. Schlosser will remain at the hospital until it is determined she is competent to stand trial for killing her 10-month-old daughter in November.

During her incarceration, Mrs. Schlosser has heard babies screaming “mommy … mommy” and seen babies’ faces in her jail cell wall, jail psychiatrist Xioyan Wu testified today. Mrs. Schlosser also initially refused treatment in jail, deferring to God as being the only source of possible treatment, said Dr. Wu.

Mrs. Schlosser has been prescribed Haldol and anti-depressant medication. She has had no auditory or visual hallucinations in the last three to four weeks, Dr. Wu testified.

If Mrs. Schlosser is found competent at a later date, proceedings for trial will move forward. Mrs. Schlosser, who has been treated for postpartum psychosis, was charged with capital murder on Nov. 22. A court-appointed psychiatrist also has determined she is not competent to stand trial.