MARTINEZ, Calif. (AP) - A woman who pleaded guilty to murder has been found not guilty by reason of insanity in the stabbing death of her 81-year-old companion at his San Francisco Bay Area home.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports (https://bit.ly/1lUeKuN ) the verdict was announced Friday against 58-year-old Diane Sydenham of Albany.
Prosecutors say the judge’s ruling means Sydenham will stay out of prison and will be institutionalized indefinitely.
The body of James Durkin, a retired psychologist and advocate for Parkinson’s disease patients, was found in August 2012 at his home in the Kensington area.
He had been stabbed in the heart with 6-inch steak knife.
Prosecutor Mary Knox says there was “no seemingly rational motive.”
___
Information from: San Francisco Chronicle, https://www.sfgate.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.