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Alleged gunman’s psych file from earlier standoff released

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By Megan Gildow, Staff Writer 9:46 PM Wednesday, January 5, 2011

MCCONNELSVILLE — In March 2008, Michael L. Ferryman’s most recent psychological evaluation suggested that his previous psychotic symptoms were in remission and he was not engaging in behavior that would pose a risk to his safety and others, according to documents released by the Morgan County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday.

Authorities identify Ferryman, 57, as the gunman who shot and killed Clark County Sheriff’s Deputy Suzanne Waughtel-Hopper on Saturday at Enon Beach. A subsequent gun battle with law enforcement officers left German Twp. Officer Jeremy Blum wounded and concluded with Ferryman’s death.

In 2001, Ferryman was found not guilty by reason of insanity after he engaged in a similar incident with authorities in Morgan County at a campground where he was living at the time. No one was hurt during a 26-hour standoff, according to Morgan County Sheriff Thomas Jenkins.

Ferryman, a Springfield native, was committed to a mental institution for two years after that, before being released in 2005 and allowed to move to Clark County where it was determined he had a support system in place.

As part of his conditional release, Ferryman was required to meet with mental health professionals assigned to his case and follow his treatment plan, including taking all medications as ordered. He also underwent periodic psychological evaluations, most recently in 2008.

According to the forensic evaluation filed March 17, 2008, by Kara Marciani, Ferryman “continues to be mentally ill,” although he was not exhibiting psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions of persecution as he was in 2001.

Marciani’s report indicated that Ferryman did not understand the chronic nature of his mental illness, believing that he would not experience changes in his mental status if he stopped taking his medications.

Marciani’s report stressed the importance of Ferryman’s continued adherence to his treatment plan and supervision, indication that he should meet monthly with his caseworker at Clark County Mental Health Services and regularly with a psychiatrist.

Ferryman’s file was unsealed by a Morgan County judge Wednesday morning and made available to the News-Sun.

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