A man diagnosed with schizophrenia, who previously stabbed and set on fire his grandmother in 2000, has admitted to killing two of his friends in south London. The man, identified as Daniel Levy, 48, pleaded guilty to the murders of his friend Abdul Kaleem Shaik, a 41-year-old Indian national, and himself. The plea was made just before his trial was set to begin at the Old Bailey, London’s central criminal court. The court heard that Levy stabbed Mr. Shaik in the neck at a flat in Vauxhall during the early hours of New Year’s Eve before surrendering himself to police, stating, “It’s happened again.” His words referred to a previous conviction in 2001 for the manslaughter by diminished responsibility of his grandmother, whom he had stabbed and set on fire in 2000. Levy, who has schizophrenia, told the court that he killed Mr. Shaik to help his friend cope with severe depression and to ensure his passage to heaven. He described his actions as similar to assisted suicide, believing he was acting in his friend’s best interest. The court was informed that Levy had been assessed as fit to enter a plea and expressed a desire to serve his sentence without a public trial. He wished to avoid media attention and focus on his time in custody. Judge Lynn Tayton KC, who presided over the hearing, remanded Levy in custody, with a sentencing date set for 9 September. The case has drawn attention due to the mental health aspect and the fact that Levy had a prior criminal history involving violence. His actions have sparked discussions about the legal and ethical considerations of individuals with mental illness who commit serious crimes. Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that can cause hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking. It affects how a person perceives reality and can impact their ability to distinguish right from wrong. In legal contexts, mental health assessments are crucial in determining a defendant’s culpability and the appropriate sentence. Levy’s case highlights the complex interplay between mental illness, legal responsibility, and the justice system.