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Murder victims Derek and Jean Robinson |
'I wanted to be Freddy Krueger'
Serial killer wanted to emulate his
movie monster hero, court hears
A MULTIPLE killer on trial for a murder spree fantasised
about being Freddy Krueger from the Nightmare on Elm Street
horror movies, an Old Bailey court heard yesterday (Wednesday).
Daniel Julien Gonzalez attacked and slaughtered four people
– including a popular Highgate couple – after modelling
himself on his screen idol.
An Old Bailey jury are being asked to determine whether the
jobless 25-year-old is mad or sane.
Gonzalez, who is being held at Broadmoor maximum security hospital,
set out to become a mass killer, targeting civilians and intending
to move on to police officers, the court heard. He admitted
the stabbing deaths of his victims, but denies charges of murder
“on the grounds of diminished responsibility”. He
has admitted two further counts of attempted murder.
Evidence from leading psychiatrists, called by both the prosecution
and the defence, will form the basis on whether the jury will
be able to convict of murder or manslaughter, because he was
not the master of his own mind.
As grieving relatives of the victims crowded the public gallery,
the chilling tale unfolded of how loner Gonzalez dreamed of
going into the record books as a serial killer.
He watched endless hours of horror films and Freddie Krueger
was his hero. Gonzalez intended to become a “double figure”
serial killer and was well on his way to reach his goal when
he was arrested at Tottenham Court Road Tube station.
He was making his getaway from the stabbing of pensioners Derek
and Jean Robinson at their £800,000 home in Makepeace
Avenue, on the Holly Lodge Estate, Highgate, on September 17
2004.
Dr Robinson, 74, was a retired paediatrician and his former
music teacher wife, 68, did voluntary work for Christian Aid.
On September 16 Gonzalez decided to fulfil his commitment to
kill.
Gonzalez went to the Oxford Street branch of John Lewis where
he managed to steal two knives. He went drinking at pubs and
clubs in the West End.
Ex-publican Kevin Molloy, 46, had been enjoying a drink with
a colleague in Tottenham High Road when he was attacked by Gonzalez
at 5.30am and left dead on the pavement.
Next to be targeted were a couple living in Frobisher Road,
Hornsey. Koumis Constantinou, 40, yelled to his wife to seek
refuge. In a desperate battle Mr Constantinou was slashed but
still managed to fend off Gonzalez.
Having left the house covered in blood the killer walked into
a hardware store at the bottom of Highgate West Hill and at
7.30am bought another knife.
Mr Horwell described how he walked back up the hill and selected
the Robinson’s house completely at random.
One of them opened the front door to him when he rang.
Seconds later both were attacked in a knife frenzy. “Mr
Robinson was stabbed in the face, neck and abdomen, Mrs Robinson
in the face, neck and chest. Both died on the spot.”
With blood pouring from wounds inflicted during the double killing,
Gonzalez jumped on a 214 bus and travelled to King’s Cross.
He was seen on CCTV boarding a southbound train at Tottenham
Court Road. The train was halted and police arrested him.
The trial continues. |
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