Stamford attorney who went on rampage sues psychiatrist

March 5, 2009

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/norwalkadvocate/news/ci_11828350Stamford attorney who went on rampage sues psychiatristLawyer was not guilty by reason of mental diseaseBy Monica PottsStaff WriterPosted: 03/03/2009 07:09:34 PM ESTSTAMFORD -- A Stamford attorney who went on a rampage in 2007, shooting at a van driver then breaking into his ex-wife's home, has filed a lawsuit against his psychiatrist. Eric Witlin, 41, was found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect in May. In July, he was committed to serve 20 years in the Whiting Forensic Institute after psychiatrists testified that he had a psychotic episode induced by a prescription drug. The suit was filed Feb. 26 in state Superior Court in Stamford against Dr. Simon Epstein.Epstein, who has a practice in Stamford, treated Witlin from April 30, 2006, to May 21, 2007, and prescribed the medications during that time, according to the suit.On the night of May 20, 2007, Witlin stopped a 45-year-old construction worker named Michael Balcombe in his van on Hartswood Road, according to testimony. Witlin fired twice into the van with a shotgun, and Balcombe escaped unharmed through the passenger's side. Witlin proceeded to the Idlewood Drive home of his ex-wife and broke in while she and their 11-year-old son were inside. He was apprehended there by police.The psychiatrists who testified in court said the prescription drugs Adderall and Prozac led to Witlin's state, and one of the psychiatrists said he believed Witlin was misdiagnosed when he was prescribed them. The psychiatrists and police officers testified that Witlin's Manhattan co-workers noticed increasingly odd behavior immediately before the incident. Police testified that Witlin told them he thought his ex-wife's housekeeper was orchestrating a scheme to kidnap his family and thought the van on Hartswood Road was involved.Witlin's condition rendered him unable to judge the lawfulness of his actions or control them, Judge Richard Comerford said.In the suit, Witlin claims that Epstein failed to adequately diagnose, treat and monitor him, his medication and new symptoms, including paranoia and mania, that arose while he was on the medication. The suit claims damages of more than $15,000.Telephone calls to Witlin's attorney and Epstein were not returned.-- Staff Writer Monica Potts can be reached at monica.potts (AT) scni (DOT) com or 964-2266.

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