KALAMAZOO (WKZO) — A Benton Harbor man will be headed to life in prison without chance of parole, even though everyone involved is convinced that Jermal Clark is mentally ill.
He spent 14-months at the Center for Forensic Psychiatry in Ypsilanti after he stabbed Rita Williams to death in a home in Kalamazoo in October of 2013.
Clark has claimed that he was compelled by voices in his head to commit the crime, including the imagined voice of his victim.
She was stabbed a dozen times and there was bruising and other injuries to her head and body.
His attorney argued he should be found not guilty by reason of Insanity.
Judge Alexander Lipsey ruled after a bench trial that while Clark was schizophrenic at the time of the murder, other actions that day suggested that he knew what he was doing was wrong.
He hid the victim’s body in the basement and fled, buying a ticket for Chicago.
He was found guilty but mentally ill, which means prison with treatment. Sentencing is scheduled for March 14.
