Former ECU Student Ruled Insane In Classmate Death To Stay In Mental Hospital

A Pottawatomie County judge ruled that a former East Central University student, who was found insane in a classmate's shooting death, will stay in a mental hospital.

Judge John Canavan Jr. made the decision Thursday that 21-year-old Jerrod Murray won't released from the Oklahoma Forensic Center, where he has been examined by mental health experts. Canavan found Murray not guilty by reason of insanity earlier this year.

7/17/2015 Related Story: ECU Student Found Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity For Killing Classmate

Authorities said Murray killed 18-year-old Generro Sanchez in December 2012 after asking him for a ride to a Wal-Mart in exchange for gas money. They say Murray shot Sanchez twice in the head while Sanchez was driving.

When Murray was arrested, he allegedly told investigators that he wanted to find out what killing someone felt like.

"It's hear wrenching, because this will never be over for me - ever," said Jeana West, mother of Genero Sanchez.

West came to the courthouse to make sure Murray would not be released. But she fears there may come a time he will.

"Nobody should be able to use mental illness as an excuse to get out of serving time for their crime," said West. "Especially a murder."

Several protesters gathered outside the courthouse in support of Genero's family. While inside, a witness told the judge that Murray threatened to go after the family and hurt them if he was released.

"Nobody has been accountable for this crime," said Pottawatomie County District Attorney Richard Smothermon.

Smothermon said he's working with local legislators to try to change the not guilty by reason of insanity law.

"It's insulting to the family, it's insulting to the system of justice," said Smothermon. "And if you're an Oklahoman, it should be insulting that that's our law."

Both Smothermon and the family want lawmakers to consider a guilty by insane plea.

Back in September, a state psychologist said he felt Murray no longer had mental illness and was not a danger to society, which caused the judge to request the opinion of two more experts.

Last month, two mental health doctors re-evaluated Murray and ruled he was a danger in their professional opinion.

Oklahoma Psychologist Shawn Roberson, Ph.D. with the Oklahoma Department of Health evaluated Murray October 21. In his conclusion, he could not rule out the possibility of further violence if Murray was released.

Stanley Ardoin M.D., a staff psychiatrist at the Oklahoma Forensic Center evaluated Murray October 9. He stated that Murray has serious mental illness and remains at risk for relapse and violent behavior.

Judge Canavan ruled based on the reports. Both doctors agreed that Murray is in need of treatment and is a danger to society.

For now, Genero's family is satisfied their son's killer will not walk free.

"If you're ill you need help, but you also need to be held accountable for your crime," said West.

West said the family has also started a petition to change the NGRI law.