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Court Papers: Levi Aron, Suspect In Murder Of Leiby Kletzky, Has Personality Disorder

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A psychiatric evaluation now finds that accused killer Levi Aron has a personality disorder.

Mental illness has been suggested as a factor since the day Aron was arrested and charged with murdering and dismembering 8-year-old Leiby Kletzky.

"This would go to the issue of whether or not he has a mental disease or defect that may or may not qualify him for the insanity defense," Deborah Denno, a law professor at Fordham University, told CBS 2's Derricke Dennis.

Denno said she was not surprised by the evaluation's finding, especially in light of Aron's last court appearance, where he was found fit to stand trial. He showed little emotion, kept his head down with his eyes darting around the courtroom.

The evaluation also revealed that Aron's sister died while institutionalized for schizophrenia. According to court papers, the defendant said he heard voices telling him to take his own life afterward.

There was little sympathy for Aron in his Borough Park, Brooklyn neighborhood after hearing the news of the evaluation.

"If the report came out that it's true, then I guess it's true, but I don't think so," Jacob Posner said.

New York criminologist Dr. Casey Jordan expects the psychiatric evaluation to be used at trial where Aron admitted that he began to hear a voice talking to him approximately one year ago.

"This can explain why he did what he did, but it certainly won't excuse it," Jordan said.

But the psychiatric evaluation digs even deeper, describing Aron as "troubled" and "confused," with a "flat" and "apathetic" mood.

"People can be competent to stand trial, but later determined to be insane," Denno said.

Kletzky got lost while walking home alone from day camp for the first time on July 11. Prosecutors said Aron noticed the boy asking for help and kidnapped him. The young boy's disappearance spawned a massive search that ended in Aron being tracked down at his home with some of Kletzy's severed body parts with him.

Brooklyn Assemblyman Dov Hikind, weighing in as well, dismissed the report, saying Aron has already been found fit for trial, and that his mental illness is no excuse for taking Kletzky's life.

"To say that the guy is insane is basically to say that he's not guilty, he's not responsible. Well he is responsible and there's no question about that," Hikind said.

Aron is being held without bail and has pleaded not guilty.

How do you think this finding will affect the case against Levi Aron?  Share your thoughts in the comments section...

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