LOCAL : Harvard Student Razo Says He Confessed Crime While on Drugs

Jose Razo, the Harvard University student accused of a dozen armed robberies in 1987, told a hushed courtroom in Santa Ana this morning that he feigned confessions to the crimes because he was high on drugs and believed that he was Jesus Christ.

Razo, 22, an honors student and athlete, became the first defense witness in his trial in Orange County Superior Court.

His attorney, John Barnett, earlier told jurors that the defense would counter Razo’s confessions by showing that he had been using the mind-altering drug PCP. The defense attorney also told jurors that Razo was fascinated with the criminal mind, which he had studied at college.

When called to the stand, Razo was asked why he first called La Habra police, a contact that eventually led to his confession. Razo said he had been using drugs and “I felt I was Christ. I felt I had the ability to ask for anything I wanted.”