SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Wednesday marked the third day of the murder trial for Benjamin H. Reed, who is accused of the 2022 stabbing death of Diedre Silas. The defense is trying to build a case to garner a verdict of not guilty by rule of insanity.

Wednesday's trial focused on questioning Dr. Terry Killian, a psychiatrist who interviewed Reed twice after Silas's death. DR. Killian was charged with determining if Reed was sane. 

Dr. Killian discussed the variety of mental illnesses Reed had been diagnosed with, including: bipolar disorder, impulse control disorder, and intermittent explosion disorder.

The courtroom was also shown one of the entire interviews Dr. Killian had with Reed, which had been over an hour and a half. Reed described hearing five different distinct voices in his head that controlled him. He said that when the voices take control, he blacks out and does not remember what happens. He claimed several times that he blacked out before the stabbing occurred. In the video, Dr. Killian asks, "How likely do you think it is that you're the one who stabbed her?" Reed then responds, "With the cuts on my hands, I think it's very likely." 

Dr. Killian explained that Reed described waking up and seeing blood and cuts on his hands. That is when he went to a hospital in Decatur, where he was ultimately arrested. 

At the end of the interview, Reed asked the doctor if he believes Reed is sane. The doctor confirmed that not only was Reed sane, but fit to stand trial. 

There is at least one more witness expected to speak tomorrow. State's Attorney John Milhiser said he expects the trial to conclude tomorrow. at that point, the judge will determine whether he is guilty, but mentally ill; not guilty by rule of insanity; or guilty. 

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