Man accused of killing officer to spend 1 more year in mental hospital

HOUSTON – An accused cop killer will spend 12 more months in a state mental hospital after a judged ruled him a danger to the public. A hearing was held Tuesday to determined if Hung Truong would be released from the Rusk State Mental Hospital.

Authorities said Troung ran a red light on the Katy Freeway in 2008. During the incident, Truong hit and killed Allen Gryder, an officer who was directing traffic at the time. He later told a psychiatrist he drove into Gryder because he believed the officer was a demon. 

Truong was charged with manslaughter but found not guilty by reason of insanity.  He was committed to a state mental hospital in 2009 and has been recommitted every year since. 

“A lot of water (has) been under the bridge since then, but there still some pretty deep memories,” said Joe Pyland, a retired Houston Police Department member.

Dr. George Howland said his patient is well enough to be released to a personal care facility.

“He’s doing fine,” Howland said. “I think he’s to the point (where) he’s fine to go to the community.”

Prosecutors argued Troung’s mental condition and history of drug abuse makes him a continuing threat to the public.

“Voices told him to take his vehicle, this isn't a weapon other than being a vehicle, take his vehicle and plow it into Houston police officers,” Ray Hunt of the Houston Police Officers Union said.

After the three hour hearing, Judge Maria Jackson decided Truong was a danger without adequate supervision and treatment, which she felt he can’t receive as an outpatient.