Day 3 of the Benjamin Reed trial

SPRINGFIELD, IL (WICS/WRSP) — Wednesday was the third day of the trial of Benjamin Reed, the man accused of killing Deidre Silas, a DCFS social worker.

Reed is accused of stabbing Silas; she was killed while on duty at a home in Thayer in January 2022.

Wednesday's testimony focused on Reed's own medical history.

Reed described himself as a “ticking time bomb” that led to Silas’ death.

On Wednesday, the court heard from Dr. Terry Killian, the doctor who conducted Reed's psychiatric evaluation.

The court also viewed Reed's second interview with him, which took place on October 6, 2023.

During the interview, Reed reveals that he suffered physical and emotional trauma at the hands of his father and says he hears voices in his head telling him to hurt himself and others.

He also said that he had experienced “blackouts” in the past when he attacked both his father and brother-in-law.

One of the many disorders the doctor diagnosed him with was dissociative disorder, a trance-like state that people use to suppress trauma.

Reed insisted that it was not he who committed the crime, but the voices in his head.

“Whatever took control and actually committed the crime is still a part of you, and that part of you would have known this was wrong. It's not like some alien entity is taking over your body, those voices are parts of you,” Killian said.

Reed responded in the interview that this made him angry.

For this reason, Killian said that Reed is considered sane and that the host is usually responsible for the crimes committed.

During questioning, Reed stressed that he had blacked out and could not remember what had happened, even though he had admitted it to the police and told his mother.

Although Reed stressed that he could not remember whether he committed the crime against Silas, he admitted that if he did, he would feel remorse.

“I hurt a woman, I'm against hurting women. I saw my father beat my mother as a child… so you can imagine how I feel about that,” Reed said.

Since high school, Reed has been diagnosed with numerous mental disorders, including impulse control disorder, bipolar disorder, and depression.

Reed said he had not taken his medication for more than two years and claims Sangamon County denied him treatment after he assaulted a doctor.

The trial will continue on Thursday at 9 a.m.