A 50-year-old Centralia man has been found not guilty by reason of insanity in connection with a March 2021 home invasion and stabbing.
DeWayne Whipple had earlier been found unfit to stand trial with the likelyhood of regaining fitness in a year on June 8th, but following review of another Department of Human Services Report on Tuesday, Judge Mark Stedelin found him not guilty by reason of insanity. He was ordered into the custody of DHS for treatment possibly for as long as March 27th, 2036.
Whipple was charged with home invasion for entering an apartment at the Home Motel on West Noleman Street armed with a knife and threatening the use of force. In an aggravated battery charge, Whipple was accused of stabbing one of the occupants, David Mercer, in the back of the neck. Mercer was taken to SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia for treatment of injuries, but later checked himself out.
Whipple had also been charged with battery for grabbing another person by the hair, criminal trespass to the residence, and criminal damage for breaking out a window at the motel.