LICKING CO., Ohio (WCMH)–The saying “the truth is stranger than fiction,” runs true with this story.
A local man with developmental issues allegedly stabbed a teenage girl and her father who rescued her.
Simon Coats was not convicted for the two counts of attempted murder, instead he is confined to a residence with 24/7 with supervision for up to 22 years, all at the state’s expense.
A Licking County Court judge conferred with two doctors and ruled Coats is not competent enough to stand trial, but competent enough to not be sent to a psychiatric facility.
Local officials say Coats, 22, fell between cracks in Ohio’s legal system. Family of the two victims stabbed are upset he is not going to either a prison or an institution.
The family of 16 year old Wayana Moore, who was stabbed 17 times, are upset that Coats isn’t going to either a prison or an institution. Moore says she’s fearful “…That he is going to come back and finish what he started.“Or he is going to hurt someone else…. And… I don’t want that to happen to anyone else!” she said.
Wayana Moore’s family raised Coats since he was 9 years old. But last May, court documents show he locked the bedroom door on Wayana, allegedly stabbing her and her father repeatedly before the teen’s mom was able to wrestle the knife from his hands.
Because Coats is deaf along with other developmental issues, but not mentally ill, the court ruled he cannot stand trial for the stabbings.
Prosecutor Ken Oswalt said, “at least 10 professionals from state, local developmental disabilities, probation and law enforcement worked to find a residence to put Coats in, and made a safety plan to make sure he does not reoffend.”
Jason Umstot is the Superintendent of the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities, responsible for Coats’ care.
“It very well could be considered a loophole. In 19 years I have not seen anything this intense, so it is very alarming to me,” he said.
Officials with the Board of Developmental Disabilities and the prosecutor’s office said they understand the family’s frustration.
“This was a horrific event the victims and family went through and our main focus at the board is to look at ways to prevent any type of event like this happening again,” Umstot said.
Moore wants the law changed, and says she can’t believe the outcome.
“It wasn’t real that it wasn’t happening, I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “It reminded me of the morning I was stabbed, I just couldn’t believe it.”
Umstot said Coats’ residence will be alarmed, with inside door locks removed, and he will have a mental health worker with him when at home and when he goes outside. The only way that will change is if he violates his probation.What others are clicking on:
