Man guilty except for insanity in 3 killings despite family pleas for harsher punishment

Joseph Kelly Banks was deemed guilty except for insanity by a Multnomah County judge for three counts of second-degree murder, following a series of shootings in Portland, Oregon, in 2022. The court found him to suffer from schizophrenia, impacting his ability to understand the criminality of his actions. Banks shot and killed Isaiah Hurst, Jeff Ramirez, and Mark Johnson, while also injuring three others during his crime spree. The judge ordered his commitment to the Oregon State Hospital, where he will receive lifelong supervision from the Psychiatric Security Review Board. Family members of the victims expressed their anger and sadness over the verdict, feeling it did not reflect the severity of Banks' actions.

Letha Buchanan, Hurst's mother, shared her disbelief that her son could die in such a violent manner. Michael Lewellen, Hurst’s uncle, pointed out systemic flaws that allow such mass murderers to be treated in mental health facilities rather than facing harsher penalties. This case highlights ongoing debates about mental health and criminal justice in Oregon.