Court finds Damron not guilty by reason of insanity

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Court finds Damron not guilty by reason of insanity

Jeremiah Damron insane at time of mother’s death, DA and defender say
Jeremiah Damron was arrested July 20, 2017. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the death of his mother.

Court finds Damron not guilty by reason of insanity

Jeremiah Damron was arrested July 20, 2017. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the death of his mother.
Timeline

Key dates in the case against Jeremiah Paul Damron.

JULY 20, 2017: The body of Damron’s mother, 62-year-old Kristie Damron, is found apparently beaten and burned to death in his backyard early in the morning. Cortez police and sheriff’s deputies arrest Damron on North Sligo Street at 10:25 a.m


JULY 24, 2017: Damron appears in Montezuma County District Court for an advisement hearing. His bail is set at $500,000, and he is ordered to undergo a mental competency evaluation through the Colorado Department of Human Services.


JULY 28, 2017: Damron is charged with first-degree murder. His mental competency hearing is scheduled for Sept. 6, and his preliminary hearing for Sept. 22.


SEPT. 6, 2017: Damron’s hearings are delayed after CDHS says the results of his evaluation will not be available until October.


OCT. 17, 2017: Damron is ruled mentally incompetent to participate in his defense. District Judge Todd Plewe orders him to undergo treatment at the CDHS Institute in Pueblo.


JAN. 16, 2018: CDHS requests a delay in Damron’s treatment, and his hearing is postponed to April 3. Plewe turns down a request to reduce bail.


MARCH 2, 2018: Damron is deemed competent to proceed by CDHS Institute, according to court records.


APRIL 17, 2018: Plewe grants a defense request for a second assessment. The next competency hearing is June 22.


JUNE 22, 2018: Defense attorney challenges mental health evaluations.


AUG. 1, 2018: Plewe finds Damron competent to stand trial.


OCT. 2, 2018: Damron pleads not guilty by reason of insanity. Plewe orders CDHS Institute to complete sanity evaluation.


NOV. 20, 2018: Sanity evaluation has not been conducted. Plewe issues second order for CHS Institute to complete sanity evaluation.


March 14, 2018: Court finds Damron not guilty by reason of insanity. He is committed to the Colorado Department of Human Services.

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