AnonymousSource: Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office
Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce E. Dudley announced today that 31-year-old Nicholas Bendle will be released from further court-ordered treatment and the supervision of the Solano County CONREP (Conditional Release Program) and into the community after the Court ruled that he had successfully completed his intensive mental health treatment.
Mr. Bendle, who had randomly murdered an unsuspecting pedestrian with a hatchet on August 1, 2009, had been found not guilty by reason of insanity in December of 2011. The 2009 murder was adjudicated to have been the result of a psychotic break due to the rapid onset of previously undiagnosed paranoid schizophrenia. Mr. Bendle had managed over the years to complete several mental health transition programs, and in July of 2018, he transitioned to living independently under CONREP (of Solano County). Mr. Bendle has consistently been described by CONREP representatives as a model patient, with great insight into his mental disorder and relapse prevention.
On November 4, 2019, Mr. Bendle filed an Application for Restoration to Sanity, seeking release from the CONREP program. The Santa Barbara District Attorney’s Office and Solano County CONREP supervision opposed Mr. Bendle’s discharge from the program as premature due to recent life altering events in Mr. Bendle’s life, as well as a lack of an aftercare plan. The District Attorney’s Office consulted with Mr. Bendle’s treating psychiatrist at Patton State Hospital, as well as reviewing years of CONREP program records, to conduct a thorough assessment of his progress as it relates to public safety concerns. The District Attorney’s Office also looked into Mr. Bendle’s life altering events that could derail the progress he has made and emphasized the need for a comprehensive aftercare plan.
A trial on Mr. Bendle’s petition commenced on December 4, 2020. The Honorable Judge John F. McGregor heard the testimony of Mr. Bendle’s psychiatrist since 2015 (Dr. Scott Turpin), his prior CONREP clinician (Christie Vice, LCSW); his current CONREP clinician (Mia DeSoto), and the Solano County CONREP Community Program Director (Dr. Sheela Puri). None of the expert witnesses opined that Mr. Bendle is a continuing danger as a result of his mental disorder. After considering the testimony and exhibits presented, Judge McGregor found that there was no significant evidence of Mr. Bendle’s current dangerousness to the health and safety of others. As a result, the Judge ruled that Mr. Bendle’s petition should be granted.
Killed an elderly man, stranger, going for a morning walk, with a hatchet. Blamed the system for not giving him proper mental health treatment. If society cannot prevent this tragedy, how can we know that it will not happen again. These people should have to stay in an institution as long as a “sane” murder to protect us from them. Or go live with the experts saying that they can be released. http://www.santamariasun.com/news/7510/nicholas-bendle-is-sentenced-to-life-in-a-state-mental-hospital/
These stories are not showing pictures of the guy but you can find them by googling Nicholas Bender images and the SM papers have some.
Keep him locked up- if they let him out – house him next to Newsoms house
Tell me that this isn’t another one of those “he hasn’t killed anyone since we locked him up” so he must be fine now scenarios.
Oh don’t worry he is cured now more than likely he won’t kill again for at lease 20 minutes.
hear hear – early morning walkers – be sure you are packing
This is just the beginning. Family in New York said the violent criminals are being let out everyday some very bad people. I pray that they do not rape and kill again. Most will. It’s no wonder people everywhere are buying up all the guns and ammo.
Most will? Bet you can’t find one single study with actual facts to back that up.
SHAME – the reason people are buying up guns and ammo is to 1) fight the “violent liberals” or 2) protect themselves from conspiracy-fueled, armed militias. I know I am for reason #2!