Defendant's eerie words heard at murder trial

aloha- i like to ask did any of the districat attorney witnesses discribe how this person w/ the trnch coat look like? what color his hair if he had a hair? did he had beard or gotie? did he weare glasses? how tall was he? all kinds of stuff. but this districat attorney did not ask the first 2 of their witnesses that question at all.

Where and how was Mr. Alvaro Castillo able to purchase a gun? Not once but twice – 3 guns total. For someone who has no friends, he sure has easy access to firearms.

A lifelong history of horrible abuse, and who did anything? Nobody. They wait till he kills people to stop him? Who goes with "outpatient" treatment with this sort of case? Honestly, sometimes I wonder what good our mental health system does at all... if they can't catch *this*, what good are they at all?

WHO SOLD HIM THE WEAPONS???

The young man is obviously mentally ill ,as was his father.This is another case of a person "falling between the cracks" & not receiving proper treatment for an illness.Beth Karas always does a great job covering & I am enjoying Ron Kuby as the fill in for Banfield. Another interesting trial–

I just love it when people commit a crime and blame it on their childhood. He knew good and well that what he was doing was wrong, especially if he was so obsessed with Columbine. He saw how that ended, and how it destroyed so many families. There is no doubt in my mind that he is mentally ill, anyone who could commit a crime (esp of this magnitude) couldn't be completely sane. But I don't think he should be sentenced to a life of ease and comfort in a lucious padded room until the hospital deems him "better" like they did the last time he was there (or until his insurance runs out). If he gets away with it this time just think how awful his next crime will be...kids at that school might not be as lucky next time. "Once an animal has tasted blood, blood becomes his obsession"... Castillo has had his first taste of blood, and it wont be his last.

Theres a test to operate a car but theres no test for becoming a parent.

Still dangerously crazy, put him out of his misery like you would a deranged dog. Take him out back and shoot him. My father and mother were both messed up and I didnt go around killing people. No excuse. Death Penalty.

"While he was getting treatment for his mental illness, Castillo managed to purchase a rifle and a shotgun. " says the report.

How could such a one get a fire arm? Don't we have a system to prevent such tragedies even after so much of pain?

The amount of planning tells us this man knew what he was doing and he did it deliberately. As long as he spends life in prison, the rest of us will be safe from his selfishness. AT ANY TIME, he could have left the situation he was in. Is it possible he was manipulating the mental health system? How could so much anger be ignored by doctors? How could a psychotic (?) be released to the public? We can't turn back the clock, but we can make sure this man is held safely in prison the rest of his life.

This is such a tragedy that could have been avoided with proper parenting. One can only hope that in time, Alvaro Jr. can get the help he needs to learn to love himself, because based on the above testimony, his father did him a great disservice.

I hate to say it, but maybe parents should take psychological exams before reproducing to make sure they don't create monseters in our society.

Take this story as a lesson... love and nurture your children. Show them the way to self love and teach them to respect, love and tolerate others. My 2 cents...

One of the problems in the Hispanic community, is the affinity for violence. Why that is, I cannot say, but I have observed that to be the case, and that is one of the big issues, with illegal immigration in the US.

While that is also a problem associated with brain chemistry changes during the teenage years, which means that all teens have some predisposition to violence, the level of that problem in the Hispanic community, is noticeably elevated.

Whether that is attributable solely to elevated gang activity, in that community, or to some other issue as yet unrecognized, is a question that has not been answered.

The cop should have shot the kid. It would have saved 1) Taxpayers $$$ 2) our time at having to read this garbage.

The real question remains - if he was indeed insane, why did he obey the deputy?

It's hard to determine what's most tragic in this scenario.

This messed up kid will live the rest of his life imprisoned, much the same way he lived the first part of his life...

it's sad to consider that death for him might have been the best possible release...

and i'm not religious...but it begs you to wonder why so many "delusional" people tend to think God or the Devil was telling then what to do.

Sure, we blame Marilyn Manson and the likes for columbine – without a thought.
But why doesnt Religion ever get the blame in scenarios like this...or like the woman who recently decapitated her infant son and claimed the devil made her do it?

If marilyn manson music or violent video games can "warp" a kids mind...is it also not possible that religion, along with some abuse, can to?

Why the "mistook for an assault rifle". What does it matter?

The cop who didn't shoot him should feel ashamed for the rest of his life.

My heart goes out to this young man. Why? Because my own son was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder in addition to ADHD on top of being severely depressed.

His, unlike this young man's, homelife was not tragic nor was he ever abused but the illness ravaged him for several years rendering him unrecognizable as the young son I loved and whose sweet personality was completely hidden.

I sincerely hope he gets the mental health treatment he desperately and urgently needs, otherwise he is doomed to a lifetime of imprisonment in his own mind and physical.

The shame of all this is that the mother probably needs the same treatments because she failed to protect her children and probably was as severly abused as well.

In the final analysis, I am so grateful no one else was hurt and relieved to say, the abuser can abuse no more.

He should be in prison for the reson of his life. Evidently the mental health community can't help him, so he can't be trusted to be released into the general public.

What a waste of 18 square foot of skin. This retard needs to be locked up until his last dying breath. Oh, well kudos to this generation of young adults. All this goth crap with these young people facinated with death along with all that metal in their chops, how impressive and to think these are tomorrows future leaders of this world. Now that is scary!!!!!

I know this sounds cold but even if he is mental I still say put him to death. He will always be a threat to society. We just waste tons of tax payers money on a mental intitution, just say 30k per yr times say 50 yrs equals 1.5 million on just this one person. I personaly think being locked up in a cell your entire life is more cruel than death.

From paragraph two: "Castillo is charged with murdering his father, Alvaro Castillo, just a few hours before opening fire at Orange High School." The sixth paragraph suggests Alvaro Castillo's father's name is Rafael Castillo.

This is a very sad story that highlights three very important issues in America. The health system failed this boy and his family. Those who say they are prolife and profamily must realize that guns must be controlled because too many people die and families are destroyed as a result of uncontrolled guns and thirdly, the nation, hollywood and the media must stop being obsessed with violence. It is NOT entertainment at least in a civil society.

Insane? Really? He planned this out, he bought two guns, picked a time when he knew school would be in session. . . whatever. This knucklehead should fry for what he's done.

Why was this young man only confined to a psychiatric hospital for seven days? Psychiatric drugs take much longer than a week to take effect. When individuals that are truly psychotic are first diagnosed, they need a long hospital stay to become stabilized, followed by a long period of supportive services. Failing to appropriately treat the severely mentally ill needlessly endangers those around them, especially the family.

I was just reading over the story and I think there is a typo that you may want to fix. In the second paragraph:

"Testimony continues Tuesday morning. Castillo is charged with murdering his father, Alvaro Castillo, just a few hours before opening fire at Orange High School."

His father is named as Alvaro Castillo, whereas later in the article:

"Police soon found the corpse of 65-year-old Rafael Castillo, shot seven times—six in the head–still on the couch in the Castillo home."

His name is Rafael Castillo.

Just looking out, interesting article.

Sarah Palin would love to have him speak to the NRA also.

Thought-provoking comments by Lydia.

maybe someday we'll get decent, affordable healthcare that will include mental health treatment.

By the way – some of you scare me more than this kid.

"i like to ask did any of the districat attorney witnesses discribe how this person w/ the trnch coat look like?" – Suzan

Identity is not an issue as the defendant in opening statement admits to the shooting. In a not guilty by insanity, the issue is not whether he did the crime but whether or not he was culpable for his acts.

Looks like the father got what was coming to him. I have no sympathy for abusive parents, as they neither understand nor care about the impact they will have on a child's life. It is good that no one was seriously hurt or killed at the school... and as for Alvaro, he should be punished, but also treated and helped... please, no death penalty.

In California its illegal to sell weapons to anybody with a mental disorder. Its also illegal to kill people like that.

Most likely they were obtained illegally or through gangs.

I've listed to the Youtube videos carefully. His references were in the past tense which would indicate to me that at the time he committed the murder and school shootings, he was well aware of his actions and even the consequences of those actions.

Why on earth is someone with a mood disorder and one as severe as this young man was diagnosed with, able to have access to guns?!?
What is it going to take to get some kind of law in place to stop this from happening again and again and again?

It sure is a good thing that nobody was killed at the school. With all of that knowledge he had aquired about Columbine you would think he would have devised a more efficient plan. lol.

This person really needed help years before this action. Why does this help mostly arrive too late?

To all of you who say, he should "fry" or be locked up for life, had he wanted to kill someone else, he had ample opportunity and was a lousy shot but he did manage to kill his own father. An evil person if there ever was one.

Yes, he planned it but I believe it was more a plea for help. Obviously a very disturbed method of asking for help but he was pretty messed up.

Why? Look at what transpired. He actually wanted to be killed himself and his comment "Shoot me, shoot me. You'll love it" was in itself a plea to be put out of his misery.

We all know now how his father abused him and the horrors he went through but what we don't know is if he had had access to health care, if the mental health community had treated him differently or if his family or acquaintances had reacted differently, would his father be behind bars where he belonged and this young man saved?

Until any of you are in his shoes or is a parent of a very disturbed young child, you will never know the heartache, anguish or sorrow victims of abuse suffer.

Rick McDaniel,

"Affinity for violence"? What B.S! Unless I'm mistaken, violence is spread across the human terrain. Hispanics are no more prone to violence than Anglo-Saxons are to eating fried foods. Both absurd.

Haven't you heard of skinheads? They are white but I wouldn't say Anglo-Saxons are prone to racism!

Rick McDaniel,
I believe the two who carried out Columbine were Caucasians and NOT Hispanic...if you recall! This has nothing to do with race...nor should that subject be brought into this matter. In fact, if you pull up the list of school shootings that have taken place, the shooters on there will be more Caucasians than Hispanics. This issue is of someone who had an abusive childhood, and did not get appropriate treatment within the mental system. For some unknown reason, got access to guns, was able to commit a grievous crime. It is only fortunate that there were no injuries at the school.

Cop should've accommodated his request and shot him, Look, my dad beat the crap out of me too and im raising my children just fine. He made a personal chioce to kill instead of many, many, many other choices that could have been made, and the he decided that that wasnt enough, now im going to make other people suffer , and went to a school , one he was no longer attending, and started shooting at no one particular at all.
And now we all get to pay for his housing, his food, his doctors bills, his medicine, his schooling and whatever else he decides to do in jail/mental facility.
What a deal!
Sad.
At least we all now know that if we cant find work or feel like quitting society, theres a possible out.

So glad North Carolina has so much money that 3 years have passed and this piece of garbage is finally going to trial.

This poor man Alvaro Castillo is clearly nuts,and those that can'see this must be insane themselves.

E.L.Costa/CA

To say that this is a stereotypical tragedy because Hispanics are "prone to violence" is small-minded, uneducated and prejudicial. Violence crosses all social barriers, race, religion, economics, everything. Shame on you, Rick, McDaniel, for spreading more hate!

As for the insanity plea, a good prosecutor would argue that because the defendant was able to and did purchase 2 more firearms while under treatment for his mental illness, he understood exactly what he was doing. Therefore, it is premeditated murder and premeditated attempted murder. Being under treatment made no difference and so the insanity plea should be ignored.

As a child is beaten and ignored, his ego becomes one of worthlessness. Then one day they have the guts and plan to seek revenge. In that insanity, what's real just slips away, as if it was ever real the same way it is for us who have not been beaten and abused. Perhaps he is listening to his own ego with loud voices.
I agree that parents are responsible for how their children turn out when it comes to brutality. But what about all those rotten kids who murder and scream insanity when they have had everything they want in addition to parents who who sacrifice for them.
this could happen to anybody's kid. Are we giveing them what they really need?

Let me see if I understand this....Insane. Gets gun. Infatuated with Columbine. Obeys officer to yield. God told him to fo it. Killed abusive father. Did I mention he was able to purchase guns? Insane person, in treatment, able to buy guns. And, nobody saw this coming?

OK, unfortunately the Prisions are not equipped to handle this guy. The Hospitals will medicate him so much he will be mute. And, then, after many years release him to do more harm.

If you are fit to calculate and execute the crime you are fit to do the hard ass time on drugs.

I love how all these killers can "manage" to get their hands on guns and rifles even when their supposedly mentally ill.

Guns can be purchased in any city of any State, if you are willing to pay. Even if guns are 100% banned, in the U.S., Mexico would start smuggling and supplying them to willing buyers, same as they are Meth., Cocaine and Pot. If there is a demand, someone will find the means to fill it.
Mexico blames U.S. gun laws for the number of guns in Mexico, but the Colombians and other Cartels were supplying the weapons when they enlisted the Mexicans to transport and sell the drugs, from Mexico, when it became too difficult for Columbia and other Drug Exporting Countries to do it on their own, any longer, due to the U.S. and International Community crackdowns. It is just easier to get guns next door, than from Central and South America, but ban guns here and the flow will be to the North, not to the South.
The biggest problem in Mexico is the number of Federal, State and local police officers and army personnel who make far more working for the Mexican Cartels, than for the Govt. I have read many stories where hundreds of cops and troops are sent into a city or area, in Mexico, to fight the drug trade and the Mexican Cartels and then more than half of them are later arrested for doing what they were sent to prevent.
And I agree, that Mental Health Care access and funding is ridiculous so a great many who need help cannot find or afford it. Buying guns is easy, especially where they are outlawed, (D.C., Chicago, and many areas in CA. as the gangs and croiminals are more than happy to fill the needs of those who want them. Guns are not the problem. Criminals and expensive and unattainable Mental Health Care, etc. are the problem and to blame.

If the defense is to suceed with a very rare insanity claim they had better tighten up thier cross-examinations. I think anything that has a remote possibility of bullying or over reaction to a wittness differing on the stand with what they may have said in a statement three years ago. The wittnesses have been pretty darned consistent and the attorneys for Mr. Castillo should stick to asking questions that pertain to him beeing insane under the law ("shoot me, you will like it")

Harry 1

It is obvious he has mental problems I understand that, but you guys need to understand we cannot just go all “Old Yeller has rabies! Kill em’!” On him. He is a human being! Of course, a mildly well, er, crazy human being, but that does not mean we cannot help him.
Secondly, for all you people who are saying, “He’s wasting my tax money! Blah… blah… whine… blah… corporate America… blah… blah… blah!” Needs to rethink their words, if you were in his spot would YOU want to be killed on the spot like, well you know. Old Yeller? America’s tax money is going to help these people. What if he was your child? Spouse? Mother? Father? I bet you’d be willing to help him then.
Thirdly, I am definitely NOT saying he should be released back into public. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. He is dangerous I won’t lie. I believe we should keep him in a mental home.
Fourthly, um… hello? Why in the world haven’t they noticed this type of behavior before? Because he didn’t have friends? I would imagine, at least a teacher would be mildly upset by his behavior.
Fifthly, why didn’t anyone know his father was abusing him? Once again no friends? I do not know. However, what I do know is that his father most also of had mental problems. Which brings me back to “Why didn’t anyone see that?” I do not believe his mother was insane, I just think that she was scared of her husband. Being scared doesn’t make you insane does it? Well then. I guess were all insane eh?

You can not legally purchase a firearn in any stae if you were "committed to a psychiatric facility for seven days where he was diagnosed with major depression and psychosis" so what ever weapon he used it must have been obtained illegally.

May have ended differently if one of the teachers was a CHL?

Good thing we have gun free zones, they obviously work well.

Blame religion, are you serious. Religion is about faith and spirituality, and yes there is violence such as war and murder in the Bible but they are not situations that are encouraged. As a religious individual I wounld'nt blame Marilyn Mason for Columbine or other violent acts either. People need to be held accountable for the things THEY do. There should also be accountability on the individuals in this mans life as well. He seems to have a long history of mental illness. His parents clearly failed him. But so did his community. For whatever reason mental illness is a taboo topic for most people. It makes us uncomfortable and in most cases people are uneducated on how to deal with these individuals. This is a tragic case. We DON'T know all the facts and until we do its not our right to cast him out like a leper. Mental illness is a very common thing. More common then people may realize. It can also affect anyone at anytime. We souldn't be so quick to judge because one day we might be asking for the understanding whether its on our own behalf or a loved one. I agree that special consideration should be taken when an individual with a history of mental illness wants to purchase a weapon. We can't just ban them all. For the millions of people in this country and the millions of people with mental illness, the really "sick" acts of violence only occure ever so often. Its not fair to sterotype all mental illness patients as capable of such acts. As for this young man, he admits he did what he did, he's not disputing it. If he truely is ill, he deserves to be treated for his disorder. If he is putting on a show he will one day answer to the one and only TRUE jugde. Thank the Lord that no one at the school was hurt.

Rick McDaniel-

Even if, as you say, gang violence is more prevalent among those of Hispanic culture, aren't we the ones forcing them to join together with others of there own culture to protect themselves by constantly discriminating against them? You can't blame people for the effects when you are the cause of them.

Jess – your comments on religion are spot-on. It's just another fiction that channels mental illness.

The mental health system in the United States is broken. Watching this program and other programs on cable, such as "15 Most Shocking Crimes", should make Americans realize that our mentally ill are not being treated appropriately. Many of these tragedies could have been averted if proper treatment was available to those who cry out for help.

The healthcare system is currently set up to treat people who realize they are mentally ill and can diagnose themselves to return for treatment to get their medication tweaked. When a mentally ill person has an episode, such as being a danger to themselves or others, the hospitalization term is now down to 2 to 4 days. It takes at least 2 weeks for medication to start taking effect. Therefore, in my opinion, it is criminal to release someone who is ill before they are treated long-term. The only way to obtain long-term lockdown treatment is after a tragedy occurs and they are found not guilty. We need to change our laws so families with mentally ill members can be sent for long-term treatment without being released until they are actually better. 2 to 4 days in a hospital setting does not help anyone, unless they are mildly ill and realize they are ill and need help. But what about those people that are truly delusional and believe with all their heart that they are not ill, but haunted and/or cursed? They are unstable and continue to be unstable because we are not being humane because we do not wish to force treatment on them.

Instead we wait until a tragedy occurs then put them in jail. This is abuse in its worse form to the handicapped. The mentally ill are easily abused by society because they do not have the socialization skills to begin with and are easily abused. When we put them in jail, they are further abused and taken advantage of and we turn a blind eye to all of it.

We, as society, are to blame because we turn a blind eye to the thousands of mentally ill in our society, and our government keeps cutting funding for mentally ill hospitals. Instead we open our pocketbooks to companies that lend money to bad risks, and then when the market turns, they hold their hands out to the government to keep them afloat. We open our doors to illegal aliens and provide them free health care while our taxpaying citizens foot the bill and many don't have health care at all. Our government somewhere made the decision to put the mentally ill disabled in jail, probably because the infrastructure needed expansion and the funds for mental hospitals helped to subsidize the jail system. But how can we as a society allow these disabled people, who should be protected under the law, to be further abused by not providing the medical care that they need?

How can we the professionals tell families that the only way to help their loved one is to kick them out on the streets so they hit rock bottom and hopefully come to a decision that they need help, especially if they are delusional? But this is exactly what is happening in our society. Doesn't it concern anyone that our professionals let loose mentally unstable, disabled people out into society? No wonder more of these tragedies are happening.

And what is worse, I don't see anyone in the press or television talking about the real issue of prevention and treatment. Instead, they make their bread and butter from sensationalizing the horrible tragedy, then talk about whether the perpetrator was truly insane. Of course they are insane, but from a legal standpoint, our society has made the determination to punish, not treat; therefore our laws have been changed to put the tortured, mentally disabled in jail so we can torture them further in prison society. We treat our pets better than we do the mentally ill disabled.

It is cheaper to put them in a mental hospital, according to a professional I once spoke to. These hospitals are not cushy places, but you are right in that the disabled would not be abused, as they would if put in prison society. I realize that most people never want someone like Castillo getting back out into society and because the ACLU has sued on behalf of mentally ill people to be released from mental institutions, the mental institutions are slowly becoming extinct.

So what do we really want? Do we want to further punish these tortured disabled people by putting them in prison, or do we just want them locked up long-term where they can't get out, even if they can be treated and get better? If it is the latter, then we therefore need to change our laws so we have the right and moral duty to put the mentally ill criminal in a very longterm hospital where they will not be abused but can obtain some form of help.

How can you get a gun if you are mentally sick? Well aside from that, i think his tape is going to be his downfall. He is basically telling he world his story...i just can't believe the judge is letting this go for so long....can we move on to the next stage of this...am i missing something?

All of you who think he's mental and we shouldn't judge him or "let him fry" or put him in prison....what do you tell the families of the victims? "oh he was just having a bad day"..... "we are going to get him help"...oh by the way...sorry about your traumatized / dead son or daughter.

Do you guys really think he's sick or faking?i don't know but..for a insane mental patient, he really has talent for putting this video / soundtrack together. HE IS NOT INSANE. come on, you gotta be kidding me.

well, unfortunately, getting a weapon is easy for anyone. If not in the store..then on the street. But remember...he made a few pipe bombs! so if he didn't get the guns...he still had the capability to do some major damage. ( i don't think he ignited the pipe bomb right??) anyway, he still knew what he was doing...( at least i think so)..and he will pay for it. (at least i hope).
And if you want to talk about mental help...what help are we going to give the kids / families who went through this. I know i probably wouldn't want to go to school there anymore......where is their side of it?

Well, i guess we are in recess till monday. I think this is going to be a heck of a case for the lawyer to prove mental illness ( by definition). It looks obvious (to me anyway) that he knew what he was doing. I've read some of your statements and i think he's guilty already. I couldn't be on the jury! I think his own video made it clear that he was "in the right frame of mind" when he did it. He probably won't get the help he needs or wants in prison, but , i think, that's where he's going!

Many people ask why the mental health folks fail to hold these people. Simple; they can't. These are not the days of "One Flew Over The Cookoo's Nest".

5150, Baker Act, whatever it's called in your region, this is how it goes: Subject has psychotic episode, police are involved. Subject is transported for psych hold. Antipsychotic medications are administered. If the subject's condition stabilizes within 72 hours, they will be given a handful of psych meds, a prescription, and be sent on their way. That's essentially the law. They can't be held any longer if their condition stabilizes. From that point on, any further participation by the subject is completely voluntary.

wasn't it walmart and that gun shop where he bought the weapons?
and didn't he practice shooting with his very own father at the shooting range,sicko!

How come we have never seen a picture of the victim? Alvaro's father? just curious.

WHY OH WHY is this young man being able to testify throught his Mother & Sister??????

I think Hilary explained this like it should be. We`re not the ones that should judge this man. It`s sad that so many people think it`s the right thing as to call someone crazy when they really don`t know this person. There is no doubt this man has a problem but he also seems to know right from wrong. He might be interested in guns but was never taught what or when to use them. I think that his dad not letting him have any friends gave him too much time to think about some of the strange things that are on tv. No matter if he goes to prison or to a hospital, it`s not gonna be an easy road for him. I think they better keep him well medicated so he doesn`t realize where he`s going!!

the sad facts are in this country the mentally ill are stigizied and often untreated. and until we as a nation address these problems nothing will ever change!!!!!!!!!!

The meaning of Schzoid to me is of dual character...The Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde effect. Therefore it is reasonable that a troubled young man of severe ambivilance (dualism) could at one time be motivated "to do the right thing" and after doing so be apologetic. He has taken on the diseased instruction of his father who also of "the I'm hurting you for your own good" .

Alvero never claimed to have heard God. He surmised that the interruption of his suicide was an omen...perhaps suggesting his cowerdice in not taking down his father (tormentor) and the students...I think more because he wanted and needed their attention so badly in a favorable way and to copy and please his mother he became self-righteous and grandiouse with religious ferver. He is imagining how brave he is doing this horrendous act all for righteousness. And that is how he was treated.

I hope for a mental institution and gentle guidance because i think with time away from his parents he can recover some sanity even locked up forever.