JACKSON, MI - A man accused of killing his mother on New Year's Eve has been found not guilty by reason of insanity in Jackson County Circuit Court Friday.
Matthew King, 31, was declared legally insane by Circuit Court Judge John McBain after accepting King's plea of not guilty by reason of insanity and reviewing two psychiatric reports at a hearing Friday, June 24.
The report from the Center of Forensic Psychiatry, which is currently caring for King, and an independent report pursued by county prosecutors from a Dr. Elissa Benedek of Ann Arbor, both agree King was incapable of recognizing reality while untreated.
Benedek's report said that King had withdrawn from society for at least two years before the killing, that he lacked the capacity to understand what he had done and he continues to have delusions of a conspiracy against him and worldwide destruction.
McBain, as part of plea, ordered King to a civil commitment to continue receiving care at the Center of Forensic Psychiatry.
Michigan law requires that King's case be reviewed annually by the probate court until he's deemed fit to reenter society.
King has been in custody since the date of the killing two years ago.
Police said King called 911 from his mother's home at 313 Palmer St. in Rives Township at 10:10 p.m. New Year's Eve 2014, and said he had killed his mother.
Michigan State Police investigators said when they arrived at the address, he directed them to his home at 1006 Henrietta St. in Summit Township where Kristy King was found dead in the basement.
King was arrested and charged with open murder.