Published: July 18, 2008 05:03 pm      

Not guilty by reason of insanity

Verdict given for driving pickup through school doors

Ada — Richard Melton, 54, who drove his pickup through the front doors of Vanoss school in December 2006, was found not guilty by reason of insanity in Pontotoc County District Court Wednesday.

District Attorney Chris L. Ross said Melton spent several months in a psychiatric facility until he was competent to stand trial. Judge Tom Landrith ordered Melton to be returned to the Oklahoma Forensic Center in Vinita where he is to remain at least 45 days.

Melton will be evaluated by a psychiatrist and will be allowed his freedom if he poses no danger to the public. If he has any unresolved symptoms of mental illness, he must stay in the facility and will be evaluated on a regular basis.

In a court document, both the State of Oklahoma and the defense agreed that on Dec. 7, 2006, Melton drove a vehicle to Vanoss school, backed up in line with the front doors to a distance of about 50 yards, and then drove at a high rate of speed into the school.

School was in session and students, teachers and staff were present within the school. The pickup was trapped by the collapse of the door and the debris from the surrounding structure.

Immediately prior to the incident, there were people in the entryway inside the school when they saw and heard the pickup coming.

Once the vehicle was trapped, Melton continued to accelerate the pickup, spinning the tires, until the engine failed.

Before ramming the doors, Melton was seen standing beside his truck pointing and swearing at the school.

In 2005, Melton made statements to teachers and others that were deemed to be threats.

He had previously been upset with the school over matters concerning children who attended the school at the time of the incident, according to the document.