Jeremiah Wright Tells Doctors Beheaded Son Wasn’t Real

THIBODAUX, La. (KPEL) -- The man accused of decapitating his 7-year-old son told his psychologists that he didn't believe the boy was real but was instead a ventriloquist's dummy or a robot.

A hearing has been underway to determine if Jeremiah Wright is fit to stand trial. His psychologists do not believe Wright is faking a delusion and that he genuinely believes his son was not real.

Jori Lirette suffered from cerebral palsy and had little speech. He was killed Aug. 14, 2011.

Wright appears to understand the charges against him, his psychologists say, but the belief his son wasn't real has persisted for the last 18 months.

Both psychologists said Wright thinks his son was really a government social experiment. DeLand quoted Wright as telling her, "I don't believe they can do anything to me because it wasn't a real person. His skull was made of plastic. He had foam in him."

Wright was treated for nine months at a mental hospital in Jackson. He was declared fit to stand trial and sent back to the Lafourche Parish Jail.

His psychologists believe Wright may suffer from schizoaffective disorder or schizophrenia.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.