PORTLAND, Ore. — A Multnomah County judge has ruled that a man who fatally stabbed another outside the Portland Art Museum in 2023 was suffering from severe mental illness and will be committed to a state psychiatric hospital instead of prison.
Judge Finds Defendant Insane at Time of Killing
On Wednesday, Circuit Judge Kelly Skye found 28-year-old Jonathan Grall guilty except for insanity in the death of 34-year-old Jonathan D. Bennett.
According to court testimony and psychiatric evaluations, Grall was suffering from schizophrenia at the time of the stabbing, which occurred after Bennett was seen urinating on a retaining wall outside the museum. Judge Skye said the evidence clearly established that Grall’s mental illness prevented him from understanding the criminality of his actions.
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The 2023 Incident
The fatal encounter took place in front of the Portland Art Museum in 2023. Witnesses reported that Bennett, who was urinating on a wall, was suddenly attacked by Grall. Bennett sustained fatal stab wounds before emergency responders arrived.
Grall was quickly taken into custody, but questions about his mental state surfaced almost immediately after his arrest. Defense attorneys argued from the start that his actions were driven by untreated schizophrenia.
Commitment to Psychiatric Care
Instead of a prison sentence, Judge Skye ordered Grall to be committed to the jurisdiction of the Oregon Psychiatric Security Review Board. He will be held at a secure state mental hospital for treatment and ongoing evaluation.
The length of his confinement will depend on medical assessments, his progress in treatment, and decisions by the board, which oversees individuals found guilty except for insanity.
Balancing Justice and Mental Health
The ruling reflects Oregon’s legal framework for handling cases where serious crimes are committed by individuals suffering from profound mental illness. While families of victims often struggle with such outcomes, state law prioritizes treatment over incarceration when defendants are deemed incapable of understanding or controlling their actions.
Mental health advocates say the case highlights the ongoing challenges posed by untreated mental illness in Oregon, particularly in public spaces where both patients and community members may be at risk.
Community Impact
The stabbing rattled the downtown cultural district, where visitors, staff, and residents expressed fear following the violence. For many, the judge’s decision underscores the need for more robust mental health resources to prevent similar tragedies.
Bennett’s family has not yet issued a public statement regarding the ruling.
Looking Ahead
Grall’s placement in a state psychiatric hospital means he will remain under strict supervision, with both medical treatment and legal oversight guiding any future decisions about his release. The case serves as a stark reminder of the intersection between public safety and mental health — and the consequences when mental illness goes untreated.
