Man Who Killed 2 Nuns in Convent Ruled Insane

SKOWHEGAN, Maine —  A former mental patient who broke into a convent and killed two nuns, using a statue of the Virgin Mary as a weapon, is insane and not criminally responsible for his actions, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Superior Court Justice Donald Alexander ordered 38-year-old Mark Bechard committed for an indefinite period.

If the former jazz trumpet player is someday deemed sane, he could go free. He faces no further penalty for the stabbing and beating rampage last January that also left two other nuns seriously wounded.

Sister Patricia Keane, who survived the attack, called the verdict wise. “I thank God for the conclusion to the trial and will continue to pray for Mark and his family, for all those who are mentally ill and who need help,” she said in front of the Waterville chapel where the attack took place.