Medford, Oregon- The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office announced that Auriel Scattergood has been adjudicated Guilty Except for Insanity on multiple charges related to a 2021 homicide in the Ashland area.
Scattergood was found guilty except for insanity on charges of Murder in the Second Degree, Assault in the Second Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Aggravated Animal Abuse in the First Degree. The judgment followed a stipulated-facts trial before Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Laura Cromwell.
As a result of the ruling, Scattergood will be committed to the jurisdiction of the Oregon Psychiatric Security Review Board for life. He will be transferred from the Jackson County Jail to the Oregon State Hospital.
The trial procedure, agreed upon by both the defense and prosecution, accepted the facts of the case without a jury. Judge Cromwell determined that at the time of the incident, Scattergood was suffering from a qualifying mental health disorder and lacked the capacity to either appreciate the criminality of his actions or conform his conduct to the law.
Mental health evaluations conducted by experts from both the defense and the state supported the insanity finding. Both psychologists concluded that Scattergood met the legal requirements for the Guilty Except for Insanity designation.
The charges stem from events on September 15, 2021. On that date, Scattergood attacked his significant other, Meghan Rodriguez, with a bladed weapon at their residence on Eagle Mill Road in Ashland. When their roommate, Jon David, attempted to intervene, Scattergood assaulted him, also with a bladed weapon, causing injuries. He then assaulted Rodriguez’s dog with the same weapon.
After briefly leaving the residence, Scattergood returned and continued to assault Rodriguez with a club. The blunt force trauma she sustained resulted in her death. Law enforcement officers from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Phoenix Police Department arrived during the assault and took Scattergood into custody. Due to their intervention, both Jon David and the dog survived.
During the attack, Scattergood reportedly believed he was Jesus Christ and believed Rodriguez was the Devil.
Family members of Meghan Rodriguez attended the court proceedings. Two relatives provided statements, describing Rodriguez as a kind and loving person.
The Psychiatric Security Review Board will oversee Scattergood’s custody and treatment moving forward.
Source: JCDA
Discover more from Medford Alert News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
