Judge: Man Charged in Rich Dad's Death Unfit for Trial

He's accused of killing his father over a disagreement about his allowance
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Sep 10, 2015 7:01 PM CDT
Judge: Man Charged in Rich Dad's Death Unfit for Trial
Tommy Gilbert is shown here.   (AP Photo/Suffolk County District Attorney's office)

A judge ruled today that 30-year-old Tommy Gilbert, suspected of killing his wealthy hedge-fund father over an argument about his allowance, is not mentally fit to stand trial. Authorities say Gilbert shot his 70-year-old father Jan. 4 after Thomas Gilbert Sr. threatened to dock his allowance by a few hundred dollars, then attempted to make it look like his father had killed himself. Gilbert's mother reportedly returned to their Manhattan home to find her husband's body with a bullet wound in his head, and with his hand over a gun on his chest. Gilbert pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges and is now headed to a psychiatric facility.

Suspects can be ruled mentally unfit to stand trial if a judge finds they lack the capacity to understand the proceedings against them or assist in their own defense. Gilbert's lawyer says his client has a "long history of psychiatric issues" and will be sent to a psychiatric facility next Thursday. "I hope Mr. Gilbert will get the treatment he needs," his lawyer says. Gilbert, a 2009 Princeton graduate, has also been accused of harassing a friend and was questioned by police about a fire that burned down a friend's father's mansion. (More murder stories.)

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