Murder Effexor 16/06/2004 Pennsylvania Man Shoots Trucker on Interstate Summary:

Paragraph 11 reads: "He told police that since March he had taken the drug Effexor for depression.

The third paragraph from the end reads: "'I should just kill myself, I don't know what I'm thinking,' he allegedly told police. Asked what happened between him and Tattersall, Ossman allegedly said, 'Maybe a demon possessed me ? oh my God, I don't know.'"

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b1_1truckkillerjun16,0,3008030.story?coll=all-newslocal-hed

From The Morning Call -- June 16, 2004

Homicide suspect to be examined
Psychiatrist will determine if Schuylkill man is fit for trial.
By Chris Parker
Of The Morning Call
A Schuylkill County man who police say shot a Canadian trucker to death on Interstate 81 will be examined by a court-appointed psychiatrist, then have a hearing to determine whether he's competent to stand trial.
Lance R. Ossman, 36, of Tower City told police he might be ''possessed'' when he admitted shooting trucker Neil M. Tattersall, 54, of Ilebizard, Quebec, on April 21 at a pull-off area on I-81 in Frailey Township, police said.
He allegedly told police he killed Tattersall because the trucker tailgated him and flashed his headlights at him.
Ossman's mother, Barbara, said her son struggled with depression for years and at the time of the shooting had recently been hospitalized, was dealing with his father's recent death, hadn't slept and had barely eaten for a week.
Ossman was scheduled to have a preliminary hearing Thursday on homicide and related charges, but Schuylkill County Assistant District Attorney A.J. Serina said Tuesday that it has been postponed until a psychiatrist examines Ossman.
A date for the examination has not been scheduled, Serina said.
''That's the next step in the process,'' he said.
A competency hearing will probably follow, he said.
''Then, depending on the determination of the competency hearing, a preliminary hearing would be held,'' Serina said.
Ossman has been in Schuylkill County Prison without bail since being arrested on I-81, 91/2 miles from where Tattersall's bullet-riddled body was found.
Ossman was found in Butler Township trying to change a flat tire while wearing the dead trucker's coat ? complete with bullet holes, police said. Police said he was carrying a pistol and had a cache of seven weapons, including an AR-15 assault rifle and four semiautomatic handguns, in his car.

Police also found a stun baton and a stun gun.

Police said they noticed bloodstains on Ossman's clothing and recent cuts on his arms and legs. He told police the cuts were from a motocross bicycle accident the day before and that he had not changed clothes or showered.

He told police that since March he had taken the drug Effexor for depression.

Police said they told Ossman about finding Tattersall and that evidence at the scene matched his guns and asked where he got the coat he was wearing.

''I should just kill myself, I don't know what I'm thinking,'' he allegedly told police. Asked what happened between him and Tattersall, Ossman allegedly said, ''Maybe a demon possessed me ? oh my God, I don't know.''

In addition to homicide, police charged Ossman with aggravated assault, simple assault, having illegal weapons, possessing instruments of crime, reckless endangerment, carrying firearms without a license, drug possession, robbery, theft and receiving stolen property.

Tattersall owned and operated GTX Transport of St. Laurent, Quebec, police said.

chris.parker@mcall.com

610-379-3224