Leiby Kletzky
Photo: NYC Police
Levi Aron
Photo: AP
Kletzky's killer enters 'inbreeding' defense
Attorney for accused killer of eight-year-old Leiby Kletzky says his client is suffering from a form of genetic-based insanity
Levi Aron, who was charged with the abduction, murder and dismemberment of eight-year-old Leiby Kletzky in Brooklyn, plans to enter an insanity plea based on "inbreeding."
According to a Friday report in CNN, Aron's attorney will argue that his client suffered from a mental condition due to inbreeding, and therefore cannot be held criminally accountable for his actions.
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Leiby Kletzky's remains were found in July. The eight-year-old's body was dismembered and the remains were scattered between trash bins spanning a two-mile radius of his accused killer's apartment. The heinous murder sent shockwaves through Brooklyn's Jewish community.
Leiby Kletzky's funeral (Photo: Reuters)
Aron was initially a person of interest in the case. He was implicated in the murder after parts of the child's body were found in his attic apartment. According to New York City's chief medical examiner the boy was killed after being drugged and then smothered.
"We have reason to believe inbreeding occurred in Aron's family," defense attorney Howard Greenberg told CNN, adding that there was "anecdotal evidence" to that effect.
The defense intends to argue that "inbreeding can result in certain kinds of mental defects." Aron pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in August.
Aron has a family history of schizophrenia, Greenberg said. "He's virtually catatonic each and every time I have (been) called upon to deal with him," Greenberg said.
A psychiatric evaluation of Aron, performed in August, found that he was fit to stand trial.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for March.
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