A heroin-addict son who is accused of drowning his mother in the pool of their $1.9million Long Island home has said he will not be able to cope with life in prison.
Dennis Cullen Jr, 23, is accused of killing his mother Elizabeth Cullen, 63, at her home in affluent Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island.
Police say he then took the mother-of-five's body out of the pool and laid her down before going inside and taking a shower, PIX11 reports.
When the 23-year-old was asked about his cell at Riverhead Correctional Facility on Friday, he replied: 'No, I can’t do this.'
Cullen then stood up and asked to return to his cell, before sulking away, the New York Daily News reports.
It comes after it was revealed he allegedly laid her body out by the garden shed, took her money and traveled to Manhattan to tell his horrified sister what he had done.
His horrified sister called their father, who was the one to call 911. Cullen was arrested when he arrived back at the family's lavish New York home.
Cullen Jr, who was known as 'Dyson', had a history of drug problems, had been taking heroin since high school and had recently been in a treatment facility, sources close to the family told Daily Mail Online.
The 23-year-old, who is the nephew of a former U.S. Army Chief of Staff, was arrested and charged with her brutal death after telling police he was surprised his mother struggled so much when he dragged her from the shower, walked her through the house and then pulled her from the shallow to the deep end of their pool in a headlock.
Elizabeth Cullen is seen enjoying a holiday on Italy's Amalfi Coast. She was a member of Cold Harbor Social Club - but became distant when her son's drug problems started deteriorating
Cullen Jr is pictured walking to a police van before his arraignment on murder charges in Central Islip, New York
Police said the former varsity lacrosse player at Cold Springs High School flipped when she 'poked' him during a row over his anti-psychotic medication.
Mrs Cullen and her investment banker husband Dennis were members of Cold Spring Harbor Social Club, but withdrew a lot from the local social scene when their son's drug problems began.
Prosecutors say Cullen made a 'chilling' confession to detectives, but pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and was held on $8million bail.
Daily Mail Online has exclusively obtained Mrs Cullen's yearbook photo from when she was a student in 1975 at The College of Sacred Heart in Newton, Massachusetts, which has since merged with Boston College.
Inside Edition has also obtained photos of the family in happier times. They revealed a picture of Mrs Cullen enjoying a holiday on Italy's Amalfi Coast.
Mrs Cullen, whose nickname was 'Wink', a friend of 20 years said, was a devoted mother and sweet, kind person.
Nick Schenier, who lives near the Cullen family, alluded to mental illness being involved when he spoke to Daily Mail Online and said that Mrs Cullen was one of the nicest ladies you could ever meet.
Cullen is seen with family and friends enjoying happier times. Police have said he had a history of mental problems and was taking anti-psychosis medication
Cullen's grandfather was Major Gen. George William Casey (left), the highest ranking officer to die in the Vietnam War. His uncle is the former Army Chief Of Staff, George Casey Jr (right)
Cullen's grandfather was Maj. Gen. George William Casey, the highest ranking officer to die in the Vietnam War. His uncle is the former Army Chief Of Staff, George Casey Jr.
Cullen's father is a Managing Director at RBC Capital Markets and married Elizabeth in 1983. The couple had a total of four children
Lloyd Harbor Police carried out a 'welfare check' at the family home at about 4pm on Wednesday when they made the grim discovery.
The 23-year-old was led in silence to a police van on Thursday morning and was driven to court for his first appearance in front of a judge, News 12 reported.
He is not believed to have a prior criminal record and pleaded not guilty to one count of murder in the second degree.
Officers cordoned off the road outside the home and Suffolk County Homicide Squad is now investigating.
Cullen's father is a Managing Director at RBC Capital Markets and married Elizabeth in 1983. The couple had a total of four children.
Their daughter, Courtenay Cullen, is in the Army.
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