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Husband stabbed his wife and sister-in-law to death "to save them from Covid"

Husband stabbed his wife and sister-in-law to death "to save them from Covid"

A Wisconsin man who was obsessively concerned about the coronavirus pandemic has been ordered to spend the rest of his life in a mental health institution for stabbing four of his family members, killing two of them.

Adam Roth, 36, of Waukesha, was found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect in the attack, which authorities said was linked to his worries about coronavirus, according to dailymail.

Her mother, Gilane Popanda, 62, and sisters Desiree Popanda, 36, and Deidre Popanda, 26, tried to stop Adam Roth but he “turned on everybody,” the complaint states.

 

Adam Roth stabbed his wife Dominique Roth when they were eating in the kitchen.


Dominique Roth, Deidre Popanda and the family dog died from injuries from the attack.

Interviewed by a detective the day after the crime, Adam Roth, of Waukesha, Wisconsin, said that coronavirus “was coming and I had to save them.”

During Adam Roth’s sentencing hearing on Monday, Deputy District Attorney Ted Szczupakiewicz called for a life sentence and institutional care for him rather than conditional release.

"I don't know that in my 28 years here in the DA's office I've seen a more horrific crime than this," Szczupakiewicz said.

Dominque Roth and a family dog were killed during her husband's attack.


"There is clear and convincing evidence that if Mr Roth would be conditionally released, he would pose a significant risk. And that's not a risk, at this point, I think anyone would hope the court would take."

Gilane Popanda and Desiree Popanda had major injuries but survived.



Adam Roth was charged with first-degree intentional homicide, two counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, and mistreatment of animals or causing death using a dangerous weapon, among other charges.

Last month, Adam Roth pleaded guilty but not guilty by reason of mental illness or defect to the first four counts, while the reckless endangerment and animal mistreatment charges were dismissed, according to the sun.

 

Adam Roth stabbed four family members and killed two.


Adam Roth’s lawyer, Cameron Weitzner, did not challenge the sentence and said there was was not anything he could say to “impact the outcome.”

Weitzner said his client tried to get help the morning before the crime but did not get assistance.

“This case is about an individual who is suffering from mental illness and was suffering in a way that I don't think any of us can understand," Weitzner said.

"I hope that Mr Roth's treatment – whether that be in a hospital, whether that at some point be in the community – I hope that that can provide him the opportunity to heal, but also everyone else that this incident impacted.”