Psychiatrist: Man Accused Of Stabbing Nurse Has History Of Mental Illness
WORCESTER (CBS) -- The young man accused of stabbing a nurse in a hospital emergency room has a history of mental illness.
Clinical psychiatrist Stephanie Hansen told the court that Conor O'Regan, 24, of Charlton is schizophrenic and believes he's getting messages from the TV and radio.
Police say that O'Regan told them that he stabbed emergency room nurse Elise Wilson because he was unhappy with the care he received there during his last visit.
O'Regan was arraigned Thursday afternoon in Central District Court in Worcester for the stabbing attack at Harrington Hospital in Sturbridge Wednesday.
On Thursday evening, she remains in critical condition with stab wounds to her face and shoulder at UMass Medical Center in Worcester.
Police say O'Regan went to the hospital emergency room Wednesday and attacked Wilson while he was alone with her in an examination room. He ran off, but was captured a short time later.
According to the police report released Thursday, O'Regan said that he had gone to Harrington Hospital three weeks ago and was unsatisfied with the care he received. He allegedly told police he decided to get a knife from his parents' home and go to the hospital to "stab someone."
In the report, Southbridge Police Officer Brody Blair said he saw O'Regan stabbing Wilson. Blair said O'Regan then pointed the knife at him before running out of the emergency room.
The 65-year-old Wilson has been a nurse for 40-years and was nearing retirement.
Wilson's family is expressing their deep gratitude to the hospital staff who jumped in to save her.
Elise Wilson's family released a statement thanking her coworkers, saying: "Without these people being in the right place at the right time, the results would have been much worse. This team at Harrington Hospital, without question, saved their colleague and friend's life."
Wilson's family also thanked the trauma team at UMass Medical, where she still is. But they said they'll never be able to repay the Harrington staff for reacting immediately to save a friend they love.
O'Regan will be charged with assault and battery with a deadly weapon and assault with intent to kill.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with Wilson's recovery.
