Assailant found not guilty because of mental illness in fatal stabbing at Minneapolis home

A Minnesota judge ruled Franklin Terrol White not guilty of murder due to mental illness, stating he could not appreciate the wrongfulness of his actions when he fatally stabbed Ryan J. Peterson. This incident took place on August 12, 2022, in northeast Minneapolis, as Peterson’s wife, Kassie, fled the home during the attack. Judge Juan Hoyos reviewed psychiatric reports detailing White's auditory hallucinations, which he claimed directed him to commit the crime to save a woman. The ruling resulted in White being civilly committed to a secure treatment facility, rather than facing prison time.

Peterson's family expressed their grief, highlighting their ongoing insecurity regarding public safety since White will not serve time in prison. They are pursuing a wrongful-death lawsuit against Summit County and monitoring agencies, alleging that budget cuts compromised White's supervision. Attorney Peter Pattakos, representing the family, stated that the county's shift towards rehabilitation over public safety contributed to the tragedy. The case raises significant questions about mental health treatment and public safety in the judicial system.