SPRINGFIELD, IL (WAND) — Tuesday marked the second day of the bench trial for Benjamin H. Reed, who is on trial for the stabbing murder of Diedre Silas in 2022.

On January 4th, 2022, Benjamin H. Reed allegedly killed Diedre Silas, a child protection specialist with DCFS. He was charged in with three counts of First-Degree Murder, one count of Aggravated Battery, and unlawful restraint. Reed waived his right to trial by jury in December 2023.

According to court documents detailing an examination done by a forensic pathologist, Silas had 43 stab wounds oh her head, neck, chest and abdomen, and extremities. She also had sustained blunt force injuries to the head. The forensic pathologist said Silas died as a result of the blunt force trauma and sharp force injuries.

During the pre-trial, Reed was evaluated by a forensic psychiatrist who made conclusions based on symptoms described by Reed. Reed said he hears and is controlled by five distinct voices in his head and suffers blackouts in which he is not control of himself or his actions. The psychiatrist did not observe Reed dissociating or experiencing psychosis. The people allege that Reed’s description of his symptoms and the incident have changed over time.