ECU Student Found Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity For Killing Classmate

An Ada man who admitted to killing his classmate is found not guilty of first degree murder by reason of insanity.

But, family of Genarro Sanchez says the system failed them Friday afternoon, and they did not get the justice they deserved.

It was in December of 2012, and investigators say it was one of the most chilling murder confessions they had ever heard.

The now 20-year-old Jerrod Murray told investigators he wanted to see what it felt like to kill someone.

5/5/13 Related Story: Death Penalty Sought In Pottawatomie County Slaying 

“My son was 18 and it was his freshman year in college. And now, what, he has no life. Nothing,” said Jeana West, Genarro Sanchez’s mother.

Nearly three years later, a mother grieves for her only son shot and killed by his own classmate.

And the most disturbing, is the motive, or lack thereof. Investigators called it a random act against a random person for no reason at all.

“Jerrod is a sick individual, but Oklahoma needs to change their law to where they can be insane, and guilty at the same time,” said West. “Where they can be held accountable for their actions.”

“They didn’t get justice today. The system failed them today, and the laws of the state of Oklahoma failed them today, because he’s not been found guilty. He’s not been held accountable, and at some point in the future he could get out of prison,” said Pottawatomie county DA, Richard Smothermon.

Which is what scares this family the most.

Smothermon has said from the beginning of this investigation this was a premeditated murder.

He said Jerrod's mental capacity was there.  

“He did not believe the murder is wrong, so he is found not guilty. How under any sense, fairness, justice, is that right. How is that a right result for someone that can murder somebody not be held accountable,” said Smothermon.  

“We shouldn’t have to barter and plead, and beg the phycologist, the DA’s, the attorneys to see reason and to see things our way as a parent and as a victim,” said West.  

Jeana urges state lawmakers to take a moment and step into her shoes.

“And think if that was their child, how would they have felt hearing the judge say, I’m sorry, but there is nothing I can do but go by the letter of the law,” said West.  

“He is a scary scary individual, and the thought that he could ever be released in the streets of Oklahoma again, should scare anybody and everybody,” Smothermon.  

Jerrod Murray is being taken to a mental health facility in Vinita.

There's a hearing set for next month which will address whether he's a danger to society.