Aberdeen woman pleads insanity on murder charge

An Aberdeen woman charged with murder in the second degree plead not guilty by reason of insanity on Monday in Grays Harbor Superior Court.

Leah Dawn Thompson, 45, is accused of stabbing 63-year-old Harold Crabtree to death in the home they shared on April 26, 2014.

This fall, Thompson was deemed by Western State Hospital as incompetent to stand trial, but subsequently completed “competency restoration,” a program at the hospital that uses medication and therapy to help defendants regain their ability to assist in their defense in court. Thompson was found competent on Dec. 1.

Court documents state that she called 911 dispatch around 4:48 a.m. on April 26 saying she “took a man down in my house.” Thompson told police she killed Crabtree because he was running around with a “Hitler flag” in her house.

When law enforcement arrived, officers saw blood on Thompson’s hands, feet and clothing. Crabtree was pronounced dead at the scene and an autopsy revealed he died as a result of a stab wound to the chest.

Thompson has a history of mental illness, with past diagnoses of bipolar disorder, post traumatic stress syndrome and major depression, according to an evaluation done at Western State Hospital in June.

The report also states that Thompson told hospital staff she was a NATO diplomat and doesn’t always get paperwork from her lawyer due to the fact Lewis County officials go through her mail “from time to time.”

During other psychotic episodes, Thompson has told hospital staff she is a Vietnam prisoner of war, the documents state.

Thompson’s not guilty plea is an attempt to persuade the court that her mental illness led to Crabtree’s murder. Revised Code of Washington states that any defendant who pleads insanity is to have a qualified expert evaluate and report on his or her mental health in order to determine if the plea is reasonable.

Prior mental health, physical and emotional records will be taken into consideration as part of the decision.

Prosecutor Katie Svoboda said that during Thompson’s trial, the jury may decide not to accept her insanity plea. In that case, Thompson will face prison time if she is found guilty.

If the jury accepts the plea, she will be civilly committed to a psychiatric hospital.

Thompson’s trial is set for Tuesday, Jan. 13.