A 35‑year‑old Norfolk man who stabbed his mother 28 times was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
On April 19, 2025, Howard Patrick Randle, now 35, went into his mother’s bedroom and asked about an app on his phone. According to the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney, Randle got angry during that discussion and started stabbing his mother.
The woman ran to the bathroom but couldn’t get the door closed, and he continued stabbing her, the Commonwealth stated. The woman finally made her way outside, and Norfolk Police found her bleeding in the street. She was treated for 28 stab and cut wounds.
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Randle was charged with misdemeanor assault and felony malicious wounding.
Randle’s mother later told authorities that her son had a history of severe mental illness and she believed he didn’t know who she was during the incident.
A mental health evaluation determined Randle was suffering from undiagnosed bipolar I disorder and was experiencing auditory hallucinations and paranoia that he was being tracked by an app on his phone. The doctor determined he was legally insane during the incident, the Commonwealth’s Office revealed.
After receiving notice of “extensive findings” from the evaluation, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office agreed that Randle was insane.
Randle will remain under the care of an in‑state facility until mental health professionals and the court agree that the likelihood of him presenting a risk of harm “has significantly decreased.” At that point, he may be eligible for conditional release with community‑based treatment.
Individuals often remain hospitalized for years before reaching that point, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office stated.
“Not everyone who is mentally ill is so mentally ill as to be legally insane, but Mr. Randle, who was so mentally ill that he no longer understood right from wrong, was,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi.
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