In his first media interview since being arrested, the alleged murderer of 8-year-old Leiby Kletzky told the New York Daily News that “it hurts too much to think about” the killing.

“I don’t know what happened,” Levi Aron told the newspaper. “I just panicked.”

In the interview, published Aug. 12, Aron never referred to Kletzky by name, and when asked if he wanted to apologize, he remained silent. He referred to the moment of Kletzky’s death as “the incident,” and repeatedly said “I don’t know” when asked for reasons or details.

A court-ordered psychiatric exam found that Aron, 35, likely suffers from a “personality disorder,” the Associated Press reported. Aron’s sister died while being institutionalized for schizophrenia, which frequently repeats within families.

“His mood is neutral, practically blank,” the psychological exam found. “The only time he seems to show an emotional response is when he is asked difficult questions about the reason for his incarceration.”

Aron was transferred from Bellevue Hospital Center to Rikers Island this week, where he remains on 24-hour suicide watch. He has pleaded not guilty to murder and kidnapping charges. — jta