Michael Barisone will spend at least the next six months in treatment at Greystone Park State Psychiatric Hospital after the judge presiding over his attempted murder trial today expressed concern that the dressage trainer could pose a danger to others if he not being held for treatment.
In April, the US 2008 Olympic Games alternate dressage team was found not guilty by reason of insanity for the shooting death of a former student, Lauren Kanarek, a case that drew national attention. He spent more than three months at the Ann Klein Forensic Center in West Trenton, New Jersey after being transferred from Morris County Jail to the psychiatric facility following his trial.
Today’s performance was for a Krol hearing, which is making a special determination as to whether a defendant’s “insaneity” persists, and if so, determines the continuation of incarceration.
A clean-shaven and neatly coiffed barisone, dressed in a brown plaid jacket and an open shirt, appeared before Supreme Court Justice Stephen Taylor in Morristown, New Jersey, looking completely different than he did at his trial. At the time, he was unshaven, had long, tangled hair, and wore rumpled shirts. Commenting on his “significant change” in demeanor, the judge wondered if the unkempt look at the trial was “to the jury’s advantage.”
Barisone has been in some form of custody since the August 2019 shooting that left Kanarek in intensive care after suffering two gunshot wounds to his chest. The rider, who says he doesn’t remember the incident, was at odds with Kanarek and her boyfriend Robert Goodwin. They were tenants he was trying to move away from his Long Valley, New Jersey farm as their relationship grew increasingly contentious.
Despite repeatedly calling the police about the situation, Barisone received no help from them and became increasingly distressed. The final straw for him was the appearance of an employee of the state’s Child Protection and Permanence Department, who he believed was investigating the sexual abuse of his former girlfriend’s children. Believing that Kanarek had called the agency, he drove to the farmhouse where the shooting took place. At today’s hearing, it was found that the DCPP worker did in fact investigate allegations of neglect and not abuse.
Psychiatrist Steven Simring, called to testify by Barisone’s attorney Ed Bilinkas, said Barisone suffered from chronic depression and delusional disorders. He recommended firing Barisone to live in the community, but also said he needed intensive daily outpatient treatment “to get his life back on track and deal with his demons.”
Barisone, who had struggled with an abusive mother since childhood, had spent years in therapy trying to resolve his issues.
Simring said neither Anne Klein nor Greystone in Morris Plains, New Jersey, had the kind of treatment barisones needed, but the judge disagreed and believes Greystone is a good option. He noted that a committee of psychologists, social workers and other professionals at Ann Klein challenged a finding by psychiatrist Dr. Joanna Bajgier was that barisone could be discharged and “managed in the community” with outpatient treatment.
Bajgier said her patient does not remember shooting Kanarek and is “trying to fill in gaps.” The psychiatrist reported that a state psychologist who spoke to Barisone about Kanarek’s wounding commented, “He said he may have shot her and he may not have shot her.”
When asked by Barisone’s attorney Ed Bilinkas, Bajgier said she doesn’t see the coach as a threat to herself or others. She noted that within days of arriving at Ann Klein’s, Barisone was off medication for anxiety and depression, among other things, and is now off medication.
The judge expressed his concern that if Barisone crosses paths with Kanarek again, either in the horse world or in court (Kanarek is suing Barisone and he is countersuing), it could lead to “a situation that I think he’s dealing with.” can’t handle.”
Barisone also has an issue with the US Center for SafeSport, which has suspended him and could permanently limit his involvement in his profession.
Christopher Schellhorn, senior assistant district attorney for Morris County, agreed with Greystone’s recommendation, saying Barisone needs to “focus on improving his coping skills, getting a handle on his life… and coming to terms with what happened here.”
Bilinkas noted that it was a plus that the judge said Barisone did not need to go back to court to be allowed to go through the treatment stages at Greystone.
“Normally, level one, he would come back in six months and say he can go to level two,” which is less restrictive.
“The judge orders him to go through the process,” Bilinkas continued.
“Once they get involved with him, I think he can fly through the process and be released. I vehemently disagree with the experts’ analysis, but that’s what he decided.”
Taylor set a date for Barisone’s next hearing in March.
Comments are closed.