Request to move killer to group home is denied

A Chester County judge ordered a man responsible for a deadly psychotic rampage nearly 30 years ago to continue treatment at Norristown State Hospital for another year.

After a commitment-review hearing in January, Judge Edward Griffith ruled Feb. 28 that Richard Greist was finally receiving the insight-oriented treatment needed to address his behavior of May 10, 1978. His actions that day included killing his pregnant wife, mutilating the fetus, and gouging his 6-year-old daughter's eye. Greist, 55, formerly of East Coventry Township, was found not guilty by reason of insanity in 1980.

Griffith noted that Greist, who continues to view himself as the victim and engage in "manipulative behavior with his caregivers," needs to remain in the structured setting of the hospital, not the community group home that Greist had sought.

- Kathleen Brady Shea