Winchester library stab suspect sent to psych hospital
The man accused of stabbing a woman to death inside the Winchester Public Library a week ago today has been sent to a maximumsecurity psychiatric hospital, officials said.
Jeffrey Yao was transferred to Bridgewater State Hospital after the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office told a judge he was too mentally ill to remain in jail.
Yao has pleaded not guilty to murder in the death of 22-year-old Deane Kenny Stryker. Authorities say he stabbed Stryker 20 times with a hunting knife at the library in what prosecutors have called an unprovoked attack.
The sheriff’s office said he was moved following a “referral.”
“Following Middlesex Sheriff’s Office protocol, a referral was made by medical personnel to a psychiatrist to have Mr. Yao examined in accordance with (state law.) The psychiatrist subsequently filed a petition with the Court, which ordered Mr. Yao transferred to Bridgewater State Hospital,” Kevin Maccioli, spokesman for Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian, told the Herald last night in a statement.
Stryker was recalled at her funeral service Thursday as a hard-working, happy young woman. “Her sister said it best — the two pillars of her life were to work hard and be happy,” said the Rev. Heather Janules after Stryker’s funeral ceremony. “She was motivated to help people. It’s not an accident she was training to be a doctor.”
Most of all, she was remembered for her ability to build connections.
“Ever since Saturday, no matter where you go in town there seems to be a heavy cloud,” Janules said. “It wasn’t too long ago that Winchester was named one of the safest places in the state. That sense of safety has been lost to a lot of people.”