OKLAHOMA CITY — Three men, released from inpatient mental health facilities, were arrested over the weekend after murder charges were reinstated in July.
John Paul Washington, Fred Hardeman, and Daniel Green were initially charged with first-degree murder but were found incompetent to stand trial. The charges were dismissed, and the men were placed in the care of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) for treatment.
“These are very dangerous men with significant mental health issues,” said Vicki Zemp Behenna, Oklahoma County District Attorney. “They cannot be returned to society for the safety of our community. When ODMHSAS notified us that Washington, Hardeman, and Green were ready for release from involuntary commitment, we immediately refiled the charges and warrants for their arrest. Because of the danger they pose, each defendant will be transferred from their treatment facility directly to the Oklahoma County Detention Center.”
Oklahoma’s Mental Health Statutes state that if a defendant is found incompetent to stand trial, they must be placed under the custody of ODMHSAS, and charges are dismissed. Once ODMHSAS deems the defendant fit for discharge, the DA’s office refiles the charges. In some cases, this process can repeat multiple times, as with Washington, Hardeman, and Green.
The three men were arrested over the weekend and booked into the Oklahoma County Jail. Their bonds are set at $10 million.
Washington faces charges of first-degree murder and first-degree rape. In 1984, Washington is accused of raping a woman and murdering her husband, 20-year-old Arlie Newsome.
Hardeman is charged with first-degree murder for killing his mother in 2013.
Green faces four counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of his sister, mother, niece, and nephew. Court documents indicate Green has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and has a history of violent behavior. He was arrested in 2013.