Another Prozac Defence?

[Nagognog2]

Man charged with killing wife and daughter
March 23, 2007

BROCKTON, Mass. --A man accused of murdering his wife and 9-year-old daughter told police he snapped after his prescription for the antidepressant Prozac ran out, a prosecutor said at his arraignment Friday.

Mark Benoit, 42, also told police he strangled his daughter because he didn't want to leave her alone, according to Assistant District Attorney Courtney Cahill. The bodies of Benoit's wife, Cynthia, and daughter, Sarah, were found by police after Benoit called 911 Thursday morning.

He was ordered held without bail after pleading not guilty to two counts of murder at his arraignment at Brockton District Court.

Benoit's attorney, Joan Fund, declined comment.

Benoit told police he strangled both victims, Cahill said. Benoit said he killed his daughter because he planned to commit suicide and didn't want her to be cared for by strangers, according to a report filed in court Friday by State Police Trooper Robert F. Clements.

"Something bad happened here," Benoit is quoted as telling police dispatcher Robert Celia. "My wife and daughter are dead. ... I just wanna kill myself. ... They're gonna throw the book at me when they get here."

"Benoit stated he was sorry but they were better off because they never had any food and that they were always hungry," the report said.

Benoit allegedly left a four-page, handwritten note near his wife's body that explained what he had done. Benoit left another handwritten note complaining about his marriage in another part of the apartment, according to the police report.

Plymouth District Attorney Timothy Cruz said Benoit ignored police commands to come out of the house Thursday, forcing them to break through the front door. He suffered some injuries, but it was unclear whether they were self-inflicted.

The family moved to Brockton in December after being evicted from an apartment in Norwell. An older son remained there with family friends so he could finish his senior year in high school.

On Friday, flowers, stuffed animals and candles lined the front of the Benoit's house. One note to Sarah Benoit read, "We will miss you and we will think of you always. ... We will make sure your big brother is OK and try to watch over him like he did for you."