Judge: Insanity Fueled Ex-Student In UCLA Stabbing
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A former UCLA student arrested last year for repeatedly stabbing and slashing a female classmate in a chemistry lab at the university last fall was found not guilty on Tuesday by reason of insanity.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge H. Chester Horn Jr. made the finding — based on reports from three doctors — after Damon Thompson pleaded guilty to attempted murder, according to Deputy District Attorney Kevin Halligan.
Thompson, now 21, was ordered to be sent to a state mental hospital, according to the prosecutor.
Thompson and the female victim were standing next to each other in a Young Hall chemistry lab shortly after noon on Oct. 8, 2009, when Thompson — without provocation — pulled out a knife and stabbed her five times, including slashing her throat.
Thompson walked away from the scene of the attack, but was quickly apprehended after authorities locked down the building.
The 20-year-old victim was rushed to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, where she underwent emergency surgery.
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