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HOLLIDAYSBURG -- A Blair County judge on Monday has approved the hiring of a mitigation specialist and a neuropsychologist for an Altoona man accused almost a year ago in the brutal stabbing death of his neighbor.
Raymond Thomas Oechsle Jr., 52, facing first-degree murder and related charges in the death of 38-year-old Christopher A. Helsel, could be facing the death penalty if convicted of first-degree murder.
Both Oechsle and Helsel lived in the same apartment building at 2003 Eighth Ave., where Helsel's body was found on April 26,
2023, in Oechsle's first floor apartment. Police reported that Oechsle claimed to have killed Helsel in self-defense, but police said Helsel had 98 penetrating stab wounds on his body, including ones above his heart and to each of his eyes.
In court Monday, defense attorney Thomas M. Dickey asked President Judge Wade A. Kagarise for permission to hire psychologist Deborah Belknap of Lackawanna County as a mitigation specialist.
In that role, Belknap will be expected to work with Dickey and fellow defense attorney Robert Donaldson on pre-trial strategies. And if Oechsle is tried and convicted, then Belknap could be called upon to explain why the death penalty should be spared.
Dickey described Belknap as well qualified and, in court Monday, spoke of her prior Blair County appointments to assist with Drue Burd and Isiah Payne's capital homicide cases.
Neither Burd nor Payne went to trial because both pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and were sentenced to life in prison.
Kagarise, upon hearing no objection from First Assistant District Attorney Nichole Smith to Dickey's request, appointed Belknap as Oechsle's mitigation specialist. The judge also authorized a $25,000 retainer for Belknap, to be paid upon presentation of an invoice and used as services are rendered. Her rate is $125 per hour.
Belknap's appointment was the second that Kagarise authorized.
In early February, the judge approved Dickey's request for Oechsle to be examined by neuropsychologist Megan Perrin of Delaware County. Her retainer is $10,000, also to be billed as services are rendered.
In seeking Perrin's services, Dickey advised the court that the neuropsychological examination is needed to determine if Oechsle is subject to the death penalty.
A neuropsychological exam -- which focuses on the condition of the brain and how it affects a person's actions -- could be used in evaluating Oechsle's competency, his ability to waive Miranda rights and his ability to render a confession.
When filing charges against Oechsle, investigating Altoona police officers said Oechsle told them he stabbed Helsel near the entrance of their apartment building, then dragged Helsel's body into his apartment, where it was found three days later.
Kagarise said Monday that arrangements were made to transport Oechsle to court from the county prison, but Oechsle refused to come.
While Oechsle filed a handwritten petition with the court in late February indicating that he no longer wanted Donaldson to represent him, Donaldson was in court on Monday on Oechsle's behalf and reported meeting last week with Oechsle.
"I believe he doesn't want me to withdraw," Donaldson said.
Kagarise said he was dismissing the petition since Oechsle didn't appear in court.
Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.