Vanroy Evan Smith: Man who mowed down and fatally stabbed California ER doctor claims he's 'God and Jesus Christ'
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA: A man who is accused of fatally running over and stabbing a California ER doctor claimed that because he is "God and Jesus Christ," he has no guilt about his actions. In an hour-long interview from jail, Vanroy Evan Smith 39, cited Bible texts and asserted that if people realized he was the "King of Kings," their perceptions of his alleged crimes would change.
Michael Mammone, 58, an emergency room doctor, was slain in a bizarre incident in Dana Point, California on Wednesday, February 1. On the day of the lethal attack, witnesses reportedly claimed that Smith approached Mammone with a BB gun before grabbing a knife and stabbing him. The doctor was declared dead at the hospital. "I have killed," Smith claimed to Orange County Register. "If they knew who I was, they would let me walk out of here. They would fulfill all my desires."
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Vanroy Smith has pleaded not guilty to murder charges in court and denied using a lethal weapon despite the jailhouse revelation. He is being held in an Orange County jail on a $1 million bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, Feb 14, said New York Post.
What did Vanroy Smith say?
Smith reportedly said "it was his right" to kill Mammone during his interview in the jailhouse because "he was in the crosswalk and presented himself." The man also denied having any mental health issues. However, according to Long Beach Police, Smith was previously put on a 5150 hold after attacking a friend on December 19, 2020, under a California state legislation that permits involuntary commitment to a mental health hospital for up to 72 hours if authorities judge it necessary.
'Smith had bipolar disorder and paranoid schizophrenia'
Smith claimed Mammone's death was "minuscule" in comparison to other deaths and claimed Jesus had killed thousands of people by calling on the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that has traumatized Turkey and Syria, according to the Orange County Register. He also admitted to using marijuana, heavy drinking, and visiting sex workers. Smith, who is of mixed race, denied using the racial epithet "white privilege" as has been claimed. If he was let out of prison, he vowed not to kill again. According to the authorities, Smith also had bipolar disorder and paranoid schizophrenia.
'Started to isolate himself'
One of Smith's former colleagues informed CBS that his behavior had altered recently and that he had started to isolate himself and become quiet. "I would have never believed he was capable of doing something this tragic and this bad," claimed Alex Solhi, Smith's ex-client. "It kind of highlights how mental health has become more and more of an issue." A memorial service for the victim is set to take place in Laguna Beach on Thursday.