Jeffrey Alan "Jeff" Lynwood was a fast-food restaurant employee and a suspect in the murder of convicted pediatrician Dr. Gilbert Keppler.
History[]
Jeff confessed that he was a victim of Keppler's molestation when he was young. It was later discovered that he has pica, a neurological disorder in which one eats non-food objects. He tended to lick off the lead paint of his toy cars, though no one noticed this. As a result of this undiagnosed lead poisoning, he suffered a seizure and brain swelling at the age of five. Though he survived, the brain damage was enough to damage his psychological development, leaving him with, among other conditions, temper control issues. Keppler misdiagnosed Jeff with epilepsy, leaving his true condition untreated.
When Keppler was arrested for molesting several of his patients, Jeff learned of his arrest on the news. Infuriated that Keppler had lied to him, Jeff confronted Keppler, lost his temper, and beat him to death with a golf club after Keppler kept calling Jeff stupid. After the murder, A.D.A. Cabot attempted to send Jeff to prison for life. Judge Barry Moredock helped Cabot recognize that the way she treated Jeff was wrong and she came to regret her actions. Huang noticed Jeff's pica during the trial and deduced his condition, using an MRI to confirm his diagnosis. Recognizing that Jeff was in fact a victim, Cabot allowed him to plead not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect after publicly exposing the toy company's role in Jeff's brain damage at his trial.
After his insanity plea, Jeff was sent to a psychiatric facility for treatment, whilst the toy company was forced to pay him lifetime financial support in order to avoid reckless endangerment charges relating to their dangerous toys that caused Jeff's condition. Cabot said Moredock promised to review Jeff's case in a month, and depending on his progress, Jeff could be released from the facility at that time. (SVU: "Lead")
Known Victims[]
- Chad Smith (assaulted)
- Dr. Gilbert Keppler (shot in the knee and fatally bludgeoned with a gun and golf club)
- Dr. George Huang (assaulted)