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Patrick J. Camilli, 59, of Washington Township, was found guilty after a four-week trial beginning last September in the death of Mary Huber, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said.
Camilli was found lying on top of Mary E. Huber on the floor of a Lexington Township Court home on Oct. 24, 2021, just after midnight, Musella said. A knife was found near Camilli at the scene. Huber had suffered multiple stab wounds and bruises and was taken to The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, where she died.
Camilli was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center for treatment of self-inflicted stab wounds and subsequently arrested on murder charges.
An autopsy performed by the Bergen County Medical Examiner's Office revealed there were at least 29 sharp-force injuries and 20 blunt-force injuries to the victim.
At the trial Camilli's defense attorney, Landry Belizaire, brought forensic psychologist Dr. Erica Schiffman to the stand who diagnosed Camilli with bipolar disorder, which he developed as a result of an antidepressant he took without an added mood stabilizer, NorthJersey.com reports.
Schiffman also said that Camilli suffered an episode of "depersonalization," a state of mind in which he was unable to think or control his actions, at the time of the crime.
However, the prosecution also had a forensic psychologist in the courtroom. Dr. Steven Simring said that symptoms of depersonalization were common for anyone in a highly-stressful situation, and declined to diagnose Camilli with psychiatric disorders.
On Oct. 7, 2024, a jury convicted Camilli of murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
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