A man murdered his father and removed his organs, leaving them exposed outside his body in a quiet Connecticut town’s first homicide in more than 20 years, suspect’s defense lawyer said, “This is a tragedy of Shakespearean dimensions. It has devastated the family as well as my client.”
Authorities said they received a call around 1 am on Saturday from an individual claiming to have harmed his father at a local residence, in Ridgefield, The New York Post reported.
After arriving at the scene, the responding officers encountered Steven James Uricchio, aged 31 standing outside the house with his hands raised. Uricchio was dressed in a dark blue shirt and boxer shorts at the time of his arrest, according to the police report obtained by the Hour.
Uricchio, whose hands appeared to be covered in blood, was directed by the police to approach them with his arms outstretched. After checking Uricchio for any weapons, the authorities asked about his father, Marc Uricchio. Uricchio confessed, “I murdered him,” further stating that he had killed his father “really, really badly.”
According to New York Post, upon entering the residence, investigators reportedly discovered blood drops on the stairs and walls. At the top of the staircase, they found a blood-stained filet knife.
In the bedroom, police discovered 83-year-old Marc Uricchio lying on the floor, police said. The victim’s groin and abdomen had been mutilated, with some internal organs found outside his body. He was declared dead at the scene.
Uricchio was arrested and charged with murder, according to police. Police Capt. Jeffrey Raines told the News-Times that this was Ridgefield’s first murder case since 2003. He expressed his concern, stating, the killing “shakes the town up. This is a very safe community,” he added.
Shortly after being taken into custody, Uricchio informed the officers that he was experiencing stomach issues due to consuming a significant amount of Advil earlier. Authorities said that Uricchio was then taken to Danbury Hospital, where he underwent an evaluation by medical staff while restrained to a hospital bed with handcuffs.
During his time at the hospital, Uricchio told the doctors that he had been prescribed medication which he had not taken “in a month or two,” and that he frequently used cannabis.
Uricchio was released from medical care and returned to the Ridgefield police station, where he was placed under close observation on suicide watch.
During his court appearance at Danbury Superior Court on Monday, Uricchio appeared to be in a nearly unresponsive state, requiring physical assistance to enter the courtroom, according to the News-Times.
He remained slumped over, with his head resting on the defense table, until instructed by the judge to stand up, at which point a nearby officer had to practically lift him to his feet.
Willie Dow, Uricchio’s defense attorney, informed the court of his client’s “significant mental health history.” Dow concurred with the prosecution’s request for an evaluation of competency, provision of mental health treatment, and continued monitoring for potential suicide risk, all of which were granted by the presiding judge.
Uricchio is scheduled to return to court on September 4th and is currently being held on a bail amount of $1.5 million.
Authorities said they received a call around 1 am on Saturday from an individual claiming to have harmed his father at a local residence, in Ridgefield, The New York Post reported.
After arriving at the scene, the responding officers encountered Steven James Uricchio, aged 31 standing outside the house with his hands raised. Uricchio was dressed in a dark blue shirt and boxer shorts at the time of his arrest, according to the police report obtained by the Hour.
Uricchio, whose hands appeared to be covered in blood, was directed by the police to approach them with his arms outstretched. After checking Uricchio for any weapons, the authorities asked about his father, Marc Uricchio. Uricchio confessed, “I murdered him,” further stating that he had killed his father “really, really badly.”
According to New York Post, upon entering the residence, investigators reportedly discovered blood drops on the stairs and walls. At the top of the staircase, they found a blood-stained filet knife.
In the bedroom, police discovered 83-year-old Marc Uricchio lying on the floor, police said. The victim’s groin and abdomen had been mutilated, with some internal organs found outside his body. He was declared dead at the scene.
Uricchio was arrested and charged with murder, according to police. Police Capt. Jeffrey Raines told the News-Times that this was Ridgefield’s first murder case since 2003. He expressed his concern, stating, the killing “shakes the town up. This is a very safe community,” he added.
Shortly after being taken into custody, Uricchio informed the officers that he was experiencing stomach issues due to consuming a significant amount of Advil earlier. Authorities said that Uricchio was then taken to Danbury Hospital, where he underwent an evaluation by medical staff while restrained to a hospital bed with handcuffs.
During his time at the hospital, Uricchio told the doctors that he had been prescribed medication which he had not taken “in a month or two,” and that he frequently used cannabis.
Uricchio was released from medical care and returned to the Ridgefield police station, where he was placed under close observation on suicide watch.
During his court appearance at Danbury Superior Court on Monday, Uricchio appeared to be in a nearly unresponsive state, requiring physical assistance to enter the courtroom, according to the News-Times.
He remained slumped over, with his head resting on the defense table, until instructed by the judge to stand up, at which point a nearby officer had to practically lift him to his feet.
Willie Dow, Uricchio’s defense attorney, informed the court of his client’s “significant mental health history.” Dow concurred with the prosecution’s request for an evaluation of competency, provision of mental health treatment, and continued monitoring for potential suicide risk, all of which were granted by the presiding judge.
Uricchio is scheduled to return to court on September 4th and is currently being held on a bail amount of $1.5 million.