Murderer likens his killing spree to horror film

LONDON, Mar 11 (Reuters) A man on trial for murdering four people likened his killing spree to the horror film ''Halloween'' and said he went on the rampage because he was bored and wanted notoriety, a jury heard yesterday.

Daniel Gonzalez told a doctor at Broadmoor secure hospital he had killed because he wanted to know what it would feel like.

''He said he bought a lot of knives,'' consultant psychiatrist Philip Joseph told the Old Bailey.

''The plan was to kill as many people as possible until he was arrested -- he said it was a bit like the film Halloween.'' Jurors have heard how Gonzalez, who denies murder but admits manslaughter due to diminished responsibility, attacked six strangers, killing four, in a three-day spree that began on September 15, 2004.

In yesterday's testimony, the consultant said 25-year-old Gonzalez had told him the motivation for the killing was a bid to gain notoriety as a serial killer.

''He said he wouldn't have done it if he had known he would have ended up in Broadmoor but he liked the idea of being all over the papers.'' The court heard that after the failed stabbing of Peter King, his first target, Gonzalez apologised and said he was trying to kill him because he was a schizophrenic.

The psychiatrist said he would not have expected someone suffering from schizophrenia to have made a comment like that.

As Gonzalez knifed another man, Kevin Malloy, the victim asked him what he was doing to which he replied: ''I'm stabbing you, you dimbo,'' Joseph said.

Earlier this week, the jury heard how Gonzalez had tried to bite himself to death as a fitting end to his killing spree.

Gonzalez is charged with murdering Marie Harding, Malloy, Derek Robinson and his wife Jean. He admits attempted murder on King and Koumis Constantinou.

Reuters DKS SP0952