A mentally ill man who killed his pregnant wife in 1998 as their young son watched is staying put until an independent evaluation is completed.
Doctors at Connecticut Valley Hospital say 57-year-old David Messenger should be issued a temporary leave from the facility and the Connecticut Psychiatric Security Review Board reviewed his case Friday.
Messenger was acquitted of manslaughter by reason of mental disease or mental defect in 2001 and committed to the hospital for 20 years.
He was charged with fatally bludgeoning his wife, Heather Messenger, in their Chaplin home, using 4-by-4 piece of wood and a fireplace poker in front of their 5-year-old son. The son is now 16 and lives with relatives out of state.
Heather Messenger's sister, Hannah Williamson-Coon, spoke against any temporary leave. Messenger's treatment team said it thinks it would be positive and he would not be dangerous.
