PLATTSMOUTH - The district court in Cass County has found a Plattsmouth man not guilty of the 2022 death of Mary Blackwell on the grounds of insanity. An order of acquittal was signed by the court Aug. 22.

A bench trial was held in June before Judge Michael Smith. The Judge noted that the state proved the elements of crimes. However, he said Jabari Parsons lacked the mental capacity to distinguish right from wrong due to schizophrenia.

He said while there is some dispute as to whether the mental defect is the result of drug use, the symptoms persisted after his marijuana use stopped.

Parsons was 18 years old when he was arrested for murder and arson at a home he had shared with 55-year-old Blackwell near Beaver Lake. At the time of the crime, Parsons was regarded as homeless and living in a tent in the southern part of Cass County.

The court has set a Sept. 30 hearing regarding whether Parsons is a danger to himself or others.