Man accused of decapitating son to stay in custody

Joseph H. Hagerman III, accused of decapitating his son, will remain under the state’s mental health system custody for another year. Hagerman appeared in Virginia Beach Circuit Court Tuesday for an annual reviews of his status. Hagerman, by law, is entitled to annual reviews of his status for the first five years and after that, his status would be viewed every other year. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity in 2009 after telling authorities he decapitated his 5-year-old son to save him from “the anti-Christ.” Hagerman is also accused of slashing his wife when she tried to save their child. The next court hearing for Hagerman is set for February 2015.