Slaying Suspect's State Called `Clearly Impaired'

BELLEVUE

The mental state of a man charged with killing a family of four is "clearly impaired," and "his internal thinking is occupied by fantasy or racing thoughts," a psychologist says.

According to Karen Bronk Froming, Alex Baranyi Jr. is afflicted with bipolar disorder, also called manic depression, which is characterized by extreme mood swings between euphoria and withdrawal.

His mental state was described in a summary of findings late last month based on an examination of Baranyi. Froming's complete report is expected in the next few weeks.

Elsewhere in the court file, prosecutors describe Froming's findings as "confusing and contradictory," and contend her diagnosis would be insufficient for a defense claim of not guilty by reason of insanity.

Baranyi and a friend, David Anderson, both 19, are charged with aggravated first-degree murder in the strangling death of Kimberly Wilson, 20, at a Bellevue park and the bludgeoning and stabbing deaths of her parents Bill and Rose Wilson, and sister, Julia, 17, at their home Jan. 4, 1997.

Their trial is to start Sept. 22.