Judge Finds Rochester Man Not Guilty of Attempted Murder and Rape

Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) -  A Rochester man who stabbed a woman in the neck while trying to rape her has been found not guilty by reason of mental illness.

The incident happened in January last year when 24-year-old Erickson Godi was arrested for attacking the woman, described as a relative. She was able to escape and call police.

Godi was later found to be incompetent and committed for treatment of mental illness.

The case came back to Olmsted County Judge Kevin Lund this week and he ruled the facts are sufficient for a conviction on attempted murder and attempted sexual assault charges. But Lund also ruled because of a major mental illness, Godi “did not know the nature of his acts or that they were wrong.”

Lund based his findings on a doctor’s report that found Godi’s symptoms are “consistent with a major mental illness and psychosis.”  During a mental evaluation, Godi told the doctor he heard voices “that told him to have sex with the woman.”

Lund has now ordered a trial to determine if Godi should be committed again, this time as a mentally ill and dangerous person. Godi remains in the Olmsted County jail, pending the outcome of that trial.

News Update:  A wanted man leads an Olmsted County deputy on a high-speed chase - another high-speed chase.

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