Gary Schmitt Hearing Set for June 23

A hearing is set for June 23 in Effingham County on the potential release of Gary Schmitt, the former Effingham man who killed his father in Effingham and attacked a mother and daughter in Edgewood.

(GARY SCHMITT)

Schmitt was found not guilty by reason of insanity in October 2012 for the murder of Jack Schmitt and the stabbings of Jodi Harris and her daughter Lauran Huntington. Jack Schmitt's death occurred in June 2010, while the attacks on Harris and Huntington occurred in January 2011.

Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler said Schmitt's attorney is petitioning for Schmitt's conditional discharge. Gary Schmitt is being housed at McFarland Mental Health Center in Springfield. Kibler is in preparation to argue against Schmitt's release.

Judge Kimberly Koester returned the verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity at the conclusion of stipulated bench trials on the two offenses. She will also preside at the hearing, which is expected to take much of the day on the 23rd.