Guilty but mentally ill

Gov. Chris Gregoire will back legislation to allow defendants in Washington to be found guilty but mentally ill, and to be sent to prison instead of a mental hospital.

Persons who have already been found not guilty by reason of insanity would face a new Safety Review Panel before they are released.

Gregoire appeared today with a coalition of law enforcement officials and reiterated support fora  a constitutional amendment that allows judges to deny bail to any suspect which they feel is a risk to the community, and enhanced benefits for the families of officers killed in the line of duty.