Man Who Killed Hesperia Teacher Ruled Insane

VICTORVILLE (AP) — A California jury says the convicted killer of a Hesperia school teacher was insane when he broke into the man's apartment and attacked him.

Monday's decision by the Victorville jury means 31-year-old Melvin Douglas Cannon will be sent to a state mental hospital until it's decided he's no longer a threat to society.

The Victorville Daily Press says the same jury earlier convicted Cannon of first-degree murder and other counts for the death of Joel Auest. Because Cannon had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, the trial entered a sanity phase.

Defense attorney Winston McKesson says Cannon is bipolar and delusional.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)