One year ago, when Laureano (Laurence) Bistoyong was found guilty of second-degree murder in stabbing his 16-year-old cousin Mark to death, the judge said one question remained: “Why did Laurence stab Mark?”

The answer, according to a forensic psychiatrist testifying in court Tuesday, is Laurence experienced a psychotic episode — a symptom of schizophrenia that at the time had gone undiagnosed.

“(Laurence) heard voices,” said Dr. Gary Chaimowitz , head of the forensic psychiatry service at St. Joseph’s Healthcare. “People laughing. He thought it was a laugh track. He saw the victim (Mark) laughing. And at that time, the victim turned into a dark shadow figure, like the reaper. And he heard God’s voice saying ‘stab the demon.’ He grabbed a knife and walked up.”

Laurence plunged a lar

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