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Man indicted for elderly woman's murder

Posted by Trina Edwards - email

CINCINNATI, OH (FOX19) - The Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office has announced the indictment of James House III for the murder of 93-year-old Ida Martin.

House is charged with one count of aggravated murder for the Oct. 20 stabbing of Martin outside her Roselawn Apartment. Martin was out for a walk when she was killed.

House had been charged in 1999 with stabbing three women in Roselawn. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity in that case and spent 10 years in psychiatric treatment the maximum time allowed by law. In June, the insanity proceedings were dismissed and the case was referred to probate court.

"Unfortunately, the problem is the shifting standards set by the courts for dealing with people with mental difficulties," said Prosecutor Joe Deters. "Now is the time to look at other state's models and consider changing the law to ensure that these types of offenders are held for the longest period of time. Other states have statutory provisions that permit a 'guilty but insane' finding to ensure that these types of offenders remain off the streets."

House faces life in prison without parole if convicted of Martin's murder.

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