Man committed to mental facility in Pushmataha Co. murder case

August 16, 2012

Tracy Steffenson

A gruesome murder case came to an end on Wednesday morning, after the man accused of murdering an elderly man with a hatchet was sentenced. Robert Parsons was led from the courthouse after being found to still be a a danger to the public, peace and or safety of others due to treatment noncompliance.

Parsons was committed back into the custody of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and transported immediately back to Oklahoma Department of Mental Health in Vinita after his hearing. The court came to this decision after parties stipulate to reports that were submitted by Forensic Psychiatrist for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health.

On June 6, 2012, Parsons attorneys, Joe P. Robertson and James Bowen, entered a plea of Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity. The court had received voluminous records pertaining to the Defendant’s mental health history and treatment from the Veterans Administration and other mental health providers. They also received a detailed report of an evaluation conducted by a Licensed Psychologist for the purpose of assessing Parsons’ mental state at the time of the alleged offense.

Based upon the stipulated records submitted to the Court, finding Parsons was laboring under a defect of reason from disease of the mind, specifically bipolar Disorder and Depression, at the time of the offense and was unable to distinguish right from wrong, the Court found Parsons legally insane at the time of the instant offense. The Court found Parsons Not Guilty on Reasons of Insanity.

Parsons was put into the custody of the Oklahoma Forensic Center in Vanita where he was to undergo an examination to determine if he was presently mentally ill and if he was dangerous to the public.

Since the hearing, a petition has been circling the area asking for the resignation of District Attorney Mark Matloff. Joanie Cogburn, the victim's sister, has been waiting for justice and has stated that she is angered by the way the D.A. handled the case. Cogburn has state that “He [Matloff] has not represented our family at all.”

"There's no closure. He's basking in Vinita. Whatever that's like. However bad it is, its not bad enough for this animal," said Cogburn.

“I feel bad for the victim’s family and their loss,” said District Attorney Mark Matloff. “If her [Joanie Cogburn] way of grieving is to attack me, that is fine. I did my job to the best of my ability and I am satisfied with that.”