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Man Found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity in 2021 Killing
10 Jul
Summary
- A man was found not guilty by reason of insanity for a 2021 fatal shooting.
- The defendant will be placed in a secure state psychiatric hospital.
- The victim's family expressed disappointment and vowed opposition to future release.
In Rock Hill, a man has been found not guilty by reason of insanity for the 2021 fatal shooting of Jaleel Jones. The court determined that Nathan Jarrod Thomas suffered from severe mental illness at the time of the incident, rendering him unable to distinguish right from wrong.
Thomas confessed to shooting Jones, stealing his vehicle, and abandoning the body before self-reporting the crime. Mental health experts initially found him incompetent to stand trial, but later deemed him competent. Prosecutors did not contest the finding of legal insanity.
Consequently, Thomas will not serve a prison sentence. He will instead remain under court supervision in a secure South Carolina state psychiatric hospital. Any potential future release will be subject to judicial approval and recommendations from mental health officials.
The family of Jaleel Jones, who attended the hearing, expressed their pain and disappointment, feeling that justice was not served. They have pledged to actively oppose any future attempts to release Thomas from state custody.
