Sixteen years ago, Marci Webber killed her 4-year-old daughter Maggie during a psychotic episode and attempted suicide. Institutionalized in Illinois since, Webber has argued she no longer needs inpatient care. In November, a judge will decide if she can go free.
Her case contrasts with Lindsay Clancy, whose recent trial resulted in a hung jury; Clancy faces a retrial next month. Webber’s trial lasted one day with one witness, resulting in a not guilty by reason of insanity verdict. The judge found her not guilty by reason of insanity in Du Page County.
Since then, years of debate have centered on medications and her stability. Prosecutors argue Webber fails to grasp the harm caused, blaming drugs rather than illness for Maggie’s death. Involuntary commitment for those not guilty by reason of insanity is meant for treatment, not punishment.
In Illinois, patients may be committed as long as their potential prison sentence — in Webber’s case, up to 100 years. There is no minimum. Webber, an Army veteran, began antidepressants in the mid-1990s during a custody dispute.
She has been prescribed numerous antidepressants, antipsychotics, and a beta blocker. Experts note medication regimens can be complex. Webber describes experiencing akathisia, a torturous restlessness.
She questions whether shifting drug regimens contributed to violence. Psychiatric drugs can have adverse effects, particularly when initiated or discontinued, potentially increasing suicide or violence risk if unaddressed.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing