News Summary
As the court date approaches for Kendrex White’s potential release from Kerrville State Hospital, concerns from family and the community grow. Lori Brown, mother of victim Harrison Brown, fears for safety and accountability following the violent 2017 attack. The hearing on July 17 will determine White’s commitment status, as the District Attorney’s Office argues for continued inpatient care to ensure community safety, while advocates encourage public involvement in the case.
Austin, Texas – As the court date approaches for the potential release of Kendrex White, the mother of University of Texas at Austin stabbing victim Harrison Brown expresses deep concern. White is accused of fatally stabbing her son, Brown, along with injuring three other students in an unprovoked attack on May 1, 2017, while they attended the university.
The court hearing is scheduled for July 17, where a judge will consider White’s transition from the Kerrville State Hospital to outpatient care. White has been under treatment at the hospital after being found not guilty by reason of insanity, having been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder.
Lori Brown, Harrison’s mother, expressed shock upon discovering the upcoming hearing, revealing that past assessments indicated White’s mental illness was both severe and incurable, leading to the belief that he might remain in maximum security indefinitely. In 2018, the Brown family was reportedly informed that a transfer from maximum security could take decades if it were ever to happen.
Currently, White is receiving treatment at the Kerrville State Hospital after being transferred from the Vernon State Hospital. The Travis County District Attorney’s Office is opposing the alteration of White’s commitment status, advocating for him to remain in inpatient care to ensure community safety. During the hearing, medical professionals are anticipated to argue that White no longer presents a danger to himself or others.
In light of the prospect of White’s release, Lori Brown has voiced her fears regarding the potential encounter with him in public, expressing anxiety over the possible lack of accountability for White’s violent actions. Under the legal framework governing these types of court hearings, family members of victims typically do not have the opportunity to address the judge directly. The hearings are instead primarily based on medical records and the opinions of mental health professionals.
Legal experts have noted that the process for obtaining a release from a mental health facility is rigorous. It aims to find a balance between ensuring that individuals with severe mental illness are treated fairly while maintaining accountability for actions that may have resulted from those mental health crises. The public hearing is expected to draw considerable attention given the nature of the case and the severe impact on the victim’s family.
Additionally, SafeHorns, a parent-led advocacy group associated with UT, is encouraging community members to monitor the developments in this case closely and to voice their concerns to the District Attorney’s Office in advance of the hearing. The group sees the issue as critical not only for the families affected by such violence but also for the safety of the broader community.
The July 17 hearing will be open to the public, where a decision will be made regarding whether Kendrex White will remain under secure care at the hospital or be allowed to transition to outpatient status. As the date approaches, the implications for both the Brown family and the community at large remain significant and deeply felt.
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Additional Resources
- CBS Austin: Man Accused in Deadly UT Stabbing
- Statesman: Travis County Opposed to Release of Kendrex White
- ABC 7 Chicago: Karmelo Anthony Charged in Frisco Stabbing
- Fox 7 Austin: Renewed Concerns About Safety on UT Austin
- KXAN: Victory for Harrison Family of Slain UT Student
- Wikipedia: Mental Health Law
- Google Search: University of Texas Stabbing
- Google Scholar: Kendrex White Case
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Insanity Defense
- Google News: UT Austin Stabbing Case
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
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