Insanity verdict made in assault on school
Courts: Judge rules man who drove pickup into building not guilty
Insanity verdict made in assault on Ada school

By Hailey R. Branson

Published: July 17, 2008

ADA — A man accused of driving his pickup through the front entrance of Vanoss High School in 2006 was found not guilty by reason of insanity by a Pontotoc County judge Wednesday.

Richard Earl Melton was accused in December 2006 of driving his truck onto the school sidewalk and hitting the building. The driver then backed up about 50 yards, revved his engine and crashed into the school again at a high speed, causing glass doors and walls to collapse around him and trap him inside the pickup.

The driver was yelling and combative when officers arrived.

The school's surveillance video showed the incident.

Classes were in session, but no injuries were reported. At the time, Melton's two sons, who were ages 14 and 17, attended the school.

Melton — who has a history of mental illness — has been in police and state custody since the day of the incident.

He was charged with assault and battery with a deadly weapon and was sent to the Oklahoma Forensic Center in Vinita for about seven months to be stabilized.

A search of Melton's home days after the incident revealed unidentified pills.

Pontotoc County District Judge Tom Landrith on Wednesday ordered Melton to be returned to the facility.

Psychiatrists at the center will determine whether Melton is dangerous to the public and whether he has a history of noncompliance to treatment.

They will then submit a court report on his condition.

Melton will remain at the center for up to 45 days before court hearings will determine whether he needs permanent supervised care.