Posted: Oct 6, 2010 11:35 PM EDT
A Huntsville man accused of murdering and dismembering his stepfather 13 years ago is free tonight. Michael Hart admitted to killing his stepfather. Police say he also threatened to kill the investigators involved. That leaves the lead prosecutor in this case wondering why he had to learn about Hart's release from the media.
Assistant District attorney Bill Starnes led the prosecution against Michael Hart.
"He was initially found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. That was based on findings by Dr. James F. Hooper with the Taylor Hardin Medical Center," said Assistant DA, Bill Starnes.
The doctor said Hart suffered from schizophrenia, driving him to kill and dismember his step-father, then scatter parts of the body on a golf course in Huntsville.
"He thought his step father was a controlling his mind and that he was performing secret experiments out on the arsenal. Hart thought his stepfather was trying to get him to commit suicide and he acted out in response into that mind control," said Starnes.
Then Dr. Hooper changed his diagnosis, saying hart suffered from a substance induced psychosis on marijuana.
During the time he was being treated at Bryce hospital, he escaped, turned himself in, then returned to the Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility.
"The fact that he's been compliment in a heavily controlled environment doesn't make me comfortable that he will remain compliant," said Starnes.
The federal court reviewed Hooper's changed diagnosis last week and set him free. The Madison County DA didn't even have a clue.
"We were never contacted and that's highly disappointing and unfathomable how that would have happened. I'm disappointed and concerned. We don't argue to keep people locked away, just to argue that he has shown the danger that he presents," said Starnes.
Starnes says he did learn something from Hart's release. Due to the demands on the system and the limited amount of space, he can't be sure when someone is sent to Taylor Hardin that they're going to stay there for long.
Reporter: Stephanie Beecken – sbeecken@waaytv.com
©2010 WAAY-TV, Huntsville Broadcast Corporation.
Every time a murderer is sent to prison, another murderer is released out the back door. The entire prison system is a revolving door. Every time one goes in the front door, one is released out the back door; no matter what the crime committed was. A punishment that fits the crime no longer applies. The death penalty is rarely used anymore. In a evolutionary world there is no such thing as murder. Things like a moral law, right and wrong are just something those religious fanatics believe in. Also, by releasing criminals on society the government can push for more control of it's citizens by taking away their rights and freedoms. Of course it's for your own protection. Child rapist and murderers no longer warrant any imprisonment at all; just a name and address on the Internet. All of this is just one more way the government is destroying our society.
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