Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is calling for the state to consider tightening its laws on the use of the insanity defense after a convicted child killer, released early from prison, was found living near two schools in Marion County.
At a press conference Tuesday, Uthmeier revealed that 42-year-old Ronald Exantus, originally from Kentucky, had been residing in a home directly adjacent to Sunrise Elementary School and just blocks from Horizon Academy. Exantus had failed to register as a convicted felon with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, a violation of his parole conditions.
“The facts of this case are tragic,” Uthmeier said. “A 6-year-old was brutally stabbed in his sleep and killed. What’s even more tragic is that this guy was released after only seven years behind bars.”
Exantus was charged in 2015 with the stabbing death of 6-year-old Logan Tipton in Versailles, Kentucky. A jury found him not guilty by reason of insanity on the murder charge, convicting him instead of multiple assault charges. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison but was paroled after serving only seven years.
After being located in Florida, Exantus was arrested for violating the terms of his parole and extradited back to Kentucky on Tuesday.
Uthmeier used the case to call for Florida lawmakers to join a small number of other states that have narrowed or eliminated the insanity defense in criminal cases. He argued that the defense is often abused and undermines the work of prosecutors.
“I believe the insanity defense is often abused and allows people to evade accountability and get out early,” Uthmeier stated. “It impedes the work of prosecutors who stick their necks out and go face to face with dangerous criminals every day in the courtroom.”
He added, “There is no excuse for stabbing a 6-year-old child repeatedly and ending his life.”
