The trial that shocked New York's high society is over—and Thomas Gilbert Jr, accused of murdering his father over an allowance cut, got life in prison. Judge Melissa Jackson acknowledged the defendant's "mental issues" Friday but saw no excuse for shooting his 70-year-old father in the head in 2015, the New York Post reports. "You knew exactly what you were doing," she said, per the New York Times. "You were not insane at the time you killed your father. You were not insane then. You are not insane now." Police said Gilbert murdered his dad, a Manhattan hedge fund manager, the same day Gilbert's allowance was cut from $1,000 to $300.
A Princeton graduate who never got a stable job, the 35-year-old rambled in court, shouted "Objection!" and referred to himself as "the defendant" when speaking. "Defendant has no criminal record, strong family ties and good behavior while incarcerated," he said before sentencing. "Defendant expresses remorse." His mother told the judge her son was "struck by schizophrenia" and needed psychiatric help. A psychologist and three psychiatrists testified that Gilbert's mental-health issues had become grave. But Assistant District Attorney Craig Ortner saw rational intent: "I don't know and I don't think we'll ever know if he gave Thomas Gilbert Sr. a chance to beg for his life," he said, per the Daily News. "This was a cold, calculated murder committed by a 30-year-old man." (More murder stories.)
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