Travis County DA opposes release of man found not guilty in 2017 UT stabbing

The Travis County District Attorney’s Office said it is opposed to the possible release of a former University of Texas student from a mental health facility where he has received treatment since being found not guilty of murdering a classmate seven years ago.

Kendrex White, then a 21-year-old biology student at UT-Austin, fatally stabbed freshman Harrison Brown and injured three others on campus on May 1, 2017. The following year, a judge found White not guilty of murder by reason of insanity after his defense team presented medical evidence that showed he was suffering from schizoaffective disorder, a chronic mental illness. Doctors testified the disorder was incurable and said White was in a psychotic state at the time of the attack.

But on July 17, White will go before a judge who will determine whether he can safely be released back into the community. The Travis County DA's office said it plans to ask the judge to keep White in a facility, citing safety reasons.

"The Travis County District Attorney’s Office opposes the potential modification of Mr. White’s inpatient commitment to outpatient status," the office said in a statement. "We look forward to the upcoming hearing, during which we will request that he continue to receive inpatient mental health services to ensure the safety of our community."

Harrison Brown's mother, Lori, previously told the American-Statesman she was under the impression her son's killer would never be released and that the idea of facing him in court again is deeply distressing.

In 2019, she sued White, his parents and his caregivers for failing to realize that White's disorder could cause harm to himself and others and failing to properly control his behavior. They ultimately settled out of court for an undisclosed sum.