A jury found him not guilty by reason of insanity in his wife's death. Now a judge has taken the next step.

TAVARES — A judge Thursday ruled that Morris Reynolds, who was found by a jury to be not guilty by reason of insanity in the killing of his wife, is to be involuntarily committed to a mental hospital.

Reynolds shot his wife to death at their home in the 30000 block of Pennbrooke Parkway in Leesburg on Feb. 7, 2020.

Lake County sheriff’s deputies rushed to the home after 911 dispatchers received a call from a woman who said simply, “police,” and then “help.”

The dispatcher called back but the only sound was someone punching buttons.

Deputies found Joyce Reynolds on the floor covered in blood, a bloody knife to her side. Morris was also covered in blood with a gunshot to his lower left side of his face and a stab wound to his chest. He had tried to kill himself with both weapons.

“That’s the gun I shot her with,” he said, pointing to the gun.

Reynolds’ attorney, Mark Conan, argued that Reynolds, who is now 80 years old, should be confined to Lifestream Behavorial Center, which has a locked-door residential facility in Clermont.

His witness at the hearing was Linda Detommaso, the director of the program.

Assistant State Attorney Tom Wieczorek peppered her with questions about security, including if any patient had escaped.

“One,” she said. It was a man in his 20s who was recaptured in 15 minutes after bolting from the unfenced, hilly backyard.

Defense psychologist Valerie McClain, Ph.D., who also testified at trial in September, described Reynolds’ condition as “major depressive disorder” and PTSD. He had witnessed a man who was killed in an accident when he was 5 years old.

She said he also had some cognition impairment and a drinking problem.

McClain, who visited Reynolds in jail and reviewed his medical records there, said he would do well in a controlled setting where workers would make sure he took his medications.

Circuit Judge James Baxley issued an order turning the matter over to the Department of Children and Families, which will determine where he will be sent.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: What's next for man found not guilty by reason of insanity in wife's death?