Thomas Hamp testifies he stabbed girlfriend to avoid a worse fate

The courtroom was packed on Wednesday as Thomas Hamp took the stand in his own murder trial. Hamp was questioned about his "delusional behaviour, false memories, and paranoia."

The courtroom was packed on Wednesday as Thomas Hamp took the stand in his own murder trial.

Hamp was questioned about his “delusional behaviour, false memories, and paranoia” leading up to the stabbing of his girlfriend, Emily Sanche, in February 2022, as well as what happened during the attack.

He admitted to the court that he had been dishonest at times with Sanche and health professionals about his paranoia and delusions, downplaying symptoms to appear “okay.”

Against doctors’ orders, he was also weaning off his obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and antidepressant medication.

“At the time, I thought they would brainwash me and chemically castrate me,” said Hamp.

Hamp described several specific delusions and false memories he believed to be true, which only escalated leading up to the attack.

“I had the belief that my cousin had molested me as a child,” said Hamp. “It absolutely didn’t happen.”

Hamp told the court that on the day he stabbed Sanche, he spent “much of the day pacing and engulfed in paranoia.”