[chimera]

Since he was "in the process of withdrawing" from the program, it seems like he was losing his grip on things at that point. Sometimes the onset of a psychosis allows a short to moderate period of coping, wherein the victim is able to maintain some appearance of rationality, but at some point the floodgates break.

My guess is the court will order a psych exam (pretty standard in these kinds of cases) and then we'll see what the experts say. Again, just a layman's option, but based on those pictures it sure looks like there is a very lost personality in there somewhere (not that it excuses mass killing).

[chimera]

option—>opinion (hit the POST button too fast)

[mass55th]

"Since he was "in the process of withdrawing" from the program, it seems like he was losing his grip on things at that point."

I'm not familiar with PhD programs, but if he had failed his orals, would they have given him the option of voluntarily withdrawing rather than being officially kicked out?