Thursday, February 05, 2004
Man Charged With Murder in Mother's Death
Thursday February 5, 2004 12:16 AM
STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) - A man accused of repeatedly stabbing his mother was charged with murder Wednesday after prosecutors concluded the victim's refusal to accept a blood transfusion was not a substantial factor in her death.
Stephen Ferenz, who suffers from bipolar disorder, was originally charged with two counts of first-degree assault. Authorities did not seek more serious charges until they could evaluate the victim's decision to refuse a blood transfusion.
``He intentionally set in motion the chain of events,'' prosecutor James Bernardi said. ``That is not changed by anything that happened at the hospital.''
Ferenz, 42, is accused of stabbing his mother, Carol Ferenz, in the chest and arm with a household knife Dec. 31 in her home. She died a day later after refusing a blood transfusion on religious grounds because she was a Jehovah's Witness.
Ferenz is being held on $1 million bond. A telephone message was left Wednesday for Susan Hankins, a public defender who was appointed to represent him.
Andrew Ferenz, the victim's husband, opposed the murder charges. He said his son has been on medication for 25 years.
source: Guardian Unlimited
Thursday February 5, 2004 12:16 AM
STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) - A man accused of repeatedly stabbing his mother was charged with murder Wednesday after prosecutors concluded the victim's refusal to accept a blood transfusion was not a substantial factor in her death.
Stephen Ferenz, who suffers from bipolar disorder, was originally charged with two counts of first-degree assault. Authorities did not seek more serious charges until they could evaluate the victim's decision to refuse a blood transfusion.
``He intentionally set in motion the chain of events,'' prosecutor James Bernardi said. ``That is not changed by anything that happened at the hospital.''
Ferenz, 42, is accused of stabbing his mother, Carol Ferenz, in the chest and arm with a household knife Dec. 31 in her home. She died a day later after refusing a blood transfusion on religious grounds because she was a Jehovah's Witness.
Ferenz is being held on $1 million bond. A telephone message was left Wednesday for Susan Hankins, a public defender who was appointed to represent him.
Andrew Ferenz, the victim's husband, opposed the murder charges. He said his son has been on medication for 25 years.
source: Guardian Unlimited
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