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DENVER (CN) — A federal judge on Monday ordered a former University of California, Los Angeles philosophy lecturer to be committed to a state facility for continuing mental health treatment after he was found not guilty by reason of insanity of four charges stemming from a threatening manifesto promising mass violence.
“In this case, both sides have agreed that an order of commitment would be appropriate in this matter,” U.S. District Judge Regina Rodriguez said. “The court has reviewed the filings in this matter and does conclude such an order of commitment would be in order in this case."
According to federal prosecutors, on Jan. 31, 2022, Matthew Harris shared a Google Drive link to an 803-page manifesto titled “Death Sentences” with 35 people named. The manifesto contained a variety of threats, employing the words “kill” 7,512 times, “shoot” 2,512 times, and “bomb” 2,489 times.
Prosecutors say Harris also posted a video titled “UCLA Philosophy (Mass Shooting)” to his YouTube channel. Investigators in an affidavit said the footage “depicts Harris talking with images from the 2003 movie ‘Zero Day,’ which depicts a movie version of the surveillance cameras at the Columbine school shooting.”
Harris previously taught philosophy at UCLA. In 2021, he sent his mother an email describing plans to murder another philosophy professor who he claimed gave him schizophrenia.
In June 2021, a restraining order was filed against Harris banning him from California college campuses and from possessing weapons for three years. He moved to Boulder, Colorado, that summer. In November 2021, prosecutors say, he obtained a Colorado state driver’s license and attempted to buy a “bodyguard revolver” at the Silver Bullet Shooting Range in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. The purchase was denied.
After being taken into custody by Boulder police in February 2022, Harris faced two counts of threats in interstate commerce, as well as one count of making a false statement to a firearms dealer and one count of unlawfully possessing ammunition.
Harris initially pleaded not guilty in February 2022 and was deemed incompetent to stand trial in January 2023.
On Sept. 19, 2024, Rodriguez found Harris not guilty by reason of insanity and ordered he be evaluated for release.
While she cited public safety as the main reason for holding Harris in confinement, Rodriguez also expressed hope that continued treatment would help him as well.
“This is a chronic and reoccurring condition,” Rodriguez said. “This commitment is not only to protect the public but hopefully to provide the support that Mr. Harris needs in this matter.”
From the bench, Rodriguez ordered Harris to be remanded into the custody of the attorney general and then transferred to a state facility for treatment. She promised a written order to follow given the uniqueness of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison Connaughty told the court she had heard from one victim who “was pleased to hear the anticipated outcome of the hearing.”
Defense attorney Nancy Kardon, who represents Harris, declined to speak to Courthouse News.
Harris appeared in court virtually from the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri.
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