New Canaan man accused of bludgeoning mom to death waives probable cause hearing
Sebastian Van Stockum, 20, made an appearance at Stamford Superior Court on Friday.
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A New Canaan man accused of bludgeoning his mother to death has waived his statutory right to a probable cause hearing in the case. Sebastian Van Stockum, 20, did so during an appearance at Stamford Superior Court on Friday. A probable cause hearing allows a defendant charged with murder to challenge their arrest and the validity of the evidence.
During court, Judge Alex Hernandez asked Van Stockum a series of questions to make sure Van Stockum understood his rights, had enough time to discuss things with his attorneys and wasn’t under the influence of any substances that would cloud his decision. Van Stockum told the judge he was taking psychiatric medications but those didn’t impede his ability to grasp the situation.
“I fully understand what's going on,” Van Stockum stated before the judge accepted his waiver.
Van Stockum has been in custody since the night of Oct. 24 when New Canaan police responded to 12 Gerdes Road, the home where Van Stockum lived with his mother. Officers found 55-year-old Laura Williams dead on the ground outside, her skull cracked open and a hammer nearby, according to police reports from the incident.
Officers also found Van Stockum in the home with “blood smeared on his face, and a large amount of blood spatter on his T-shirt, pants and the palms of his hand,” the reports said.
"I did it," Van Stockum is quoted as saying to police. "I took my mom's life," adding, "I tried using a knife, I tried using a hammer and I used my fists."
According to the reports, Van Stockum was initially calm but then broke down crying, saying, “I was a problem ever since I was born. I don’t have time to take any pressure off me. I want all the pressure. I want to be crushed.”
The reports also said he told an officer he was not mentally well and later refused to give his name, stating, "I don't deserve to be named. I do deserve to be forgotten."
Police first responded to the area just after 10:20 p.m. after a call from a passerby of a man yelling "Mama" from the woods at the corner of Gerdes Road and South Avenue. While officers were enroute, police said Van Stockum called 911 and confessed to killing his mom.
The 911 operator’s report said he stated, "I want to turn myself in," then started crying and said, "I just killed my mom, and I don't know why I did it."
The report went on to say that when the operator asked if Van Stockum had any weapons on him, he answered he didn't, except his "mental health."
Mental health is expected to be a major factor as the case moves forward. Van Stockum, who has not entered a plea yet, is due back in court Feb. 26. His father and a family friend attended Friday’s appearance but had no comment.
PRIOR COVERAGE: Police reports: New Canaan man confessed to using hammer, knife and fists to kill mom
‘Especially violent murder.’ Prosecutor says New Canaan man bludgeoned mom to death
