The Le Roy resident charged with murder in the shooting death of Norman Ball during the early morning of Dec. 1 has entered a not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.
District Attorney Lawrence Friedman told Interim Judge Micheal Pietruszka that two psychologists examined defendant Kyle Johnson and both found that Johnson was not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. One expert was hired by the defense and one by the prosecution, and if the case had gone to trial, both would have testified about Johnson's mental condition.
Johnson was facing an eight-count indictment that included charges of murder, burglary, arson and attempted murder.
After accepting Johnson's plea, Pietruszka ordered Johnson transferred to a state-run, secure mental health facility where he must undergo further evaluation to confirm the diagnoses.
If the case had gone to trial, Johnson would face multiple ranges of potential prison terms, including a max of 40 years to life.
UPDATE: The final version of the story can be found by clicking here.
