News (Media Awareness Project) - US PA: Addict Kills 1 Of 2 Women Hostages |
| Title: | US PA: Addict Kills 1 Of 2 Women Hostages |
| Published On: | 1999-07-21 |
| Source: | Waterbury Republican-American (CT) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-06 01:21:41 |
ADDICT KILLS 1 OF 2 WOMEN HOSTAGES
NORRISTOWN, Pa. - The former nurse accused of holding two women
hostage for nearly three days in a hospital, then killing one and
critically injuring another, had struggled with a heroin problem for
more than 15 years, his family said.
Dennis Czajkowski, 40, of Collegeville had kicked his drug habit for
about seven years in the early 1990s.
However, he started up again in early 1998 after becoming addicted to
painkillers he was taking for a kidney stone, said his brother, Mark
Czajkowski. In addition, he recently had become delusional, paranoid
and angry, especially after he was fired on April 16 from his nursing
job at Norristown State Hospital, relatives said.
"There was extreme indication that Dennis was mentally incapacitated
about (being fired) and the family was not the only ones who knew
this," said his sister-in-law, Tracy Czajkowski of Bensalem.
She did not say who else knew about it. She could not be reached for
additional comment Sunday because there was no telephone listing for
her in Bensalem.
State police have not said whether Czajkowski was under the influence
of drugs during the standoff.
They described him as being "even-keeled" and "coherent" during
negotiations.
Czajkowski was being held without bail Sunday. A preliminary hearing
is set for Friday. Asked if Czajkowski is capable of murder, Tracy
Czajkowski responded: "Absolutely not. He's not a violent person."
And Mark Czajkowski said that while he feared his brother might kill
himself, he never suspected he would hurt anyone else.
Czajkowski, an 11-year employee of Norristown State Hospital, is
accused of bursting into the facility on Wednesday, firing several
shots, and capturing Carol Sue Kepner, 54, of Wynnewood, and Maria G.
Jordan, 37, of Norristown, both nursing supervisors.
On Friday morning, police worried about the hostages' safety decided
to break a window to get a better look at them. Czajkowski immediately
opened fire, killing Ms. Kepner and wounding Ms. Jordan before he was
subdued by state troopers.
NORRISTOWN, Pa. - The former nurse accused of holding two women
hostage for nearly three days in a hospital, then killing one and
critically injuring another, had struggled with a heroin problem for
more than 15 years, his family said.
Dennis Czajkowski, 40, of Collegeville had kicked his drug habit for
about seven years in the early 1990s.
However, he started up again in early 1998 after becoming addicted to
painkillers he was taking for a kidney stone, said his brother, Mark
Czajkowski. In addition, he recently had become delusional, paranoid
and angry, especially after he was fired on April 16 from his nursing
job at Norristown State Hospital, relatives said.
"There was extreme indication that Dennis was mentally incapacitated
about (being fired) and the family was not the only ones who knew
this," said his sister-in-law, Tracy Czajkowski of Bensalem.
She did not say who else knew about it. She could not be reached for
additional comment Sunday because there was no telephone listing for
her in Bensalem.
State police have not said whether Czajkowski was under the influence
of drugs during the standoff.
They described him as being "even-keeled" and "coherent" during
negotiations.
Czajkowski was being held without bail Sunday. A preliminary hearing
is set for Friday. Asked if Czajkowski is capable of murder, Tracy
Czajkowski responded: "Absolutely not. He's not a violent person."
And Mark Czajkowski said that while he feared his brother might kill
himself, he never suspected he would hurt anyone else.
Czajkowski, an 11-year employee of Norristown State Hospital, is
accused of bursting into the facility on Wednesday, firing several
shots, and capturing Carol Sue Kepner, 54, of Wynnewood, and Maria G.
Jordan, 37, of Norristown, both nursing supervisors.
On Friday morning, police worried about the hostages' safety decided
to break a window to get a better look at them. Czajkowski immediately
opened fire, killing Ms. Kepner and wounding Ms. Jordan before he was
subdued by state troopers.
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