Accused Norwich killer found incompetent to stand trial, committed to state hospital
A Norwich man accused of killing his wife and her unborn baby and setting fire to their apartment was committed to the Connecticut Valley Hospital for 60 days Tuesday after being found incompetent to stand trial.
A clinical team that evaluated Patrick Antoine, 39, at the Garner Correctional Institution found that he is incompetent to stand trial but likely can be restored to competency after being treated at the state hospital and re-evaluated.
To find him competent to stand trial, the evaluators would have to determine that he understands the court proceedings and is able to assist in his defense.
New London Superior Court Judge Hillary B. Strackbein continued his case for two months.
Antoine has been held in lieu of a $2 million bond since he turned himself in to police and told them he fatally stabbed his wife, Margarette Mady, with a kitchen knife because he believed she was a "Voodoo priestess" who planned to kill him as a sacrifice before her baby girl was to be born.
Antoine said he used a Bic lighter to set fire to the curtains in the bedroom, living room and bathroom and left the home.
He is charged with murder, first-degree arson and assault of a pregnant woman resulting in the termination of the pregnancy.
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