THE SAME GAP
IN OTHER STATES

Accused of killing his mother, Mauricia, and his 7-year-old niece, Alexia, in June 1999. Courts found him incompetent and unable to be restored more than once, and he never went to trial.

In July 2023, a lawyer for his relatives said he had been released from the Arizona State Hospital under a civil treatment order. The hospital said prosecutors notify victims only when someone convicted of a violent crime is released. He was never convicted, so that rule did not reach his family.

His brother told ABC15, “He's got two murders under his belt.” Two state senators called for the release to be rescinded.

What a law like Karen's Law would change: his family would get written notice before any release, whether or not he was ever convicted, and the release would come with required conditions.

Charged in December 2023 with attempted maiming and aggravated domestic assault after police say he punched his pregnant partner and poured turpentine on her. He was found incompetent, and the charges were dismissed without prejudice.

While released to stay at a cabin, he was accused in May 2024 of attacking a visiting woman. The cabin owner disputes her account.

In August 2024, the state's mental health department decided he no longer needed hospitalization. The judge and his own lawyer both said they expected advance notice of that change. None was given.

What a law like Karen's Law would change: release would come with required conditions, and the people he was charged with harming would be told in writing first.

Charged with first-degree murder in the August 22, 2022 shooting death of Oklahoma County Sheriff's Sgt. Bobby Swartz. He was found incompetent in 2023. In September 2025, after the two-year restoration period ran out, a judge ruled the court had no option but dismissal and civil commitment. Prosecutors refiled charges in January 2026.

In 2025, Oklahoma lawmakers unanimously passed Senate Bill 1089. It would have required notice to prosecutors and victims before the release of a defendant who had not been restored to competency. The governor vetoed it.

What a law like Karen's Law would change: the notice Oklahoma's legislature already voted for would be law: victims told in writing before release, with required conditions.

Admitted to striking Kristy Kerst with his car in Monument in November 2024. She was trapped under the vehicle and died.

In June 2025, two doctors found him incompetent and unable to be restored, and Colorado law required the judge to dismiss all charges. He was released from jail on August 1, 2025. The judge said he could not enforce any treatment plan once the charges were dismissed.

Kristy's daughters went on to push for a 2026 Colorado competency reform.

What a law like Karen's Law would change: a release plan with conditions he had to follow, including treatment and supervision.

Charged with aggravated robbery and assault, found incompetent, and committed to the state security hospital in St. Peter in October 2018.

In May 2019, while still incompetent, he was provisionally discharged to a group home in Fridley. Records show he missed his medications 76 times in eight months, and the discharge was never revoked.

In February 2020, he was charged with murdering his girlfriend, Abigail Simpson.

What a law like Karen's Law would change: taking his medication would be a required condition, with reports to the court, so missed doses would reach a judge.

Charged with second-degree murder in November 2023 in the death of a friend outside an Albuquerque apartment. The case was dismissed after she was found not competent to stand trial, under a court order that also found her not dangerous.

On August 21, 2026, Crystal Markum, 59, was stabbed at an Albuquerque apartment complex. She died two days later. Begay is charged with her murder.

What a law like Karen's Law would change: a release after a murder charge would come with required treatment, supervision, and reports to the court.

Charged in January 2026 with aggravated homicide by vehicle in an August 2024 crash north of Cody that killed Craig Johnson, 77, a Vietnam veteran.

A Wyoming State Hospital doctor found him incompetent, with no substantial chance of restoration. The judge dismissed the case and, on June 30, 2026, ordered him released with no conditions. Prosecutors had asked for safeguards. The judge said the ruling left the victims without “any kind of solace.”

What a law like Karen's Law would change: the judge would have had to set release conditions, and Mr. Johnson's family would be told in writing first.

Charged in 2019 with arson and attempted murder after a fire at his Hudson apartment building. He was found incompetent to stand trial.

On July 21, 2026, investigators say he set a fire in his Nashua apartment building. His neighbor, Scott Thomas, 66, died, and so did Gutekunst. Seven other residents escaped. The state ruled Mr. Thomas's death a homicide.

What a law like Karen's Law would change: a release after an attempted murder charge would come with required treatment, supervision, and reports to the court.

Charged in April 2021 with attacking five nurses and a security guard in a Nashville hospital parking garage. Days later, a psychiatrist found him not competent, the charges were dropped, and he was released to the street. About two weeks later, he was arrested again.

NewsChannel 5 found that of 182 people declared incompetent in Davidson County from January 2020 to June 2021, two-thirds were re-arrested within three months.

What a law like Karen's Law would change: a defendant charged with violent attacks would not leave custody without a treatment plan and supervision.

Charged in 2014 with assaulting two detention officers. He was found unfit, the case was dismissed, and he was released after a stay at the state hospital.

About eight months later, he was accused of striking a stranger with a metal pipe. Again he was found unfit, the charges were dropped, and he was eventually released. KFF Health News counted at least five cycles of arrest, incompetency, dismissal, and release from 2014 to 2021.

What a law like Karen's Law would change: each release would come with required treatment and supervision, and a report to the court.

Accused of shooting his neighbor, Mark Berman, 59, in front of his home in October 2019. He was found incompetent 19 times after 2020. In November 2025, a judge was set to dismiss the first-degree murder charge, as Colorado law requires. He remained at the state mental health hospital, and reporting said his release was not ruled out.

What a law like Karen's Law would change: when he is released, Mr. Berman's family would be told in writing first, and the release would come with required conditions.

Accused of killing two men as they slept outside in Seattle in February 2024, one of them with an axe. After three failed rounds of competency restoration, both first-degree murder charges were dismissed. He is expected to be committed to Western State Hospital. Prosecutors say they will refile if he regains competency.

What a law like Karen's Law would change: if he is ever discharged, the victims' families would be told in writing first, and the discharge would come with required conditions.

Accused of stabbing his father in the eye and twice in the back at his parents' Spanish Fork home on December 23, 2023. He was found not competent to stand trial in March 2024.

In 2025, he was civilly committed to the Utah State Hospital, and the attempted murder charge was dismissed without prejudice.

What a law like Karen's Law would change: when he is discharged, his family would be told in writing first, and the discharge would come with required conditions.

Accused of fatally stabbing Iryna Zarutska, 23, on a Charlotte light rail train in August 2025. He faces state and federal murder charges.

He was found incapable to proceed in the state case. In June 2026, a federal judge found him incompetent to stand trial and sent him for treatment to try to restore his competency. Under North Carolina law, if he cannot be restored, the charges could eventually be dismissed.

What a law like Karen's Law would change: if he is ever released, Iryna's family would be told in writing first, and the release would come with required conditions.