Demented patient has no memory of attack

TORONTO, June 21 (UPI) -- Police in Toronto do not plan to charge an Alzheimer's patient who killed another nursing home patient suffering from the same disease.

The victim, Norman Crabtree, 79, died May 31, three weeks after he was kicked by a 69-year-old man at the Seven Oaks Home for the Aged. Crabtree fell backward, hitting his head.

Detective Sgt. Terry Wark of the homicide squad said the assailant does not remember the attack, The Toronto Star reported.

"We questioned him, and he's just not there," Wark said. "We met with both families and they realized it wasn't anything intentional."

Crabtree, whose wife is still alive, believed he was married to another Alzheimer's patient. He called the woman Elsie, his wife's name, and the pair spent a lot of time together.

The attacker, whose name has not been released, apparently became angry May 8 and yelled at Crabtree, "Get your own wife." A few minutes later, he launched the physical assault.

He remains at the home, although staffers are with him constantly to prevent another attack.