HOUSTON – A man who police said stabbed his mother to death last year was found not guilty Wednesday by reason of insanity.
Family members have supported Blake Jefferson for the last year as he's remained in the Harris County Detention Center Psychiatric Ward.
"He was brilliant and an humble young man. Very smart. He was an all around individual. Good in sports. Good in school," said his cousin, Mitzie Johnson. "He was always respectful, still is respectful.
Jefferson, 22, was charged with murder in connection with the Dec. 16, 2016, stabbing death of Dedre Jefferson at her Garden Grove Court home in west Houston.
Investigators said Dedre Jefferson was on the phone with her mother when Blake Jefferson began to stab her. He ran to a nearby home, broke in and tried to hide from police, investigators said.
Blake Jefferson wailed and patted his chest while appearing in court a few days later.
"He remembers parts of the incident, but no where close to what actually happened and having to explain and read to somebody who mentally was not present when something happened, it's difficult," said attorney Toni Jones Holley after Wednesday's hearing.Â
Dedre Jefferson was a board member at the Alief Independent School District.
"The grieving process for this kid hasn't even begun, because he still got to wrap his mind around the reality of what really happened. It's just a truly tragic and sad situation," said Holley.
Holley said tests show Blake Jefferson was not under the influence of drugs at the time of his mother's death.
He's set to transfer to the North Texas State Hospital in Vernon to receive mental health treatment.