Holts Summit man found not guilty in grandmother’s murder due to insanity

A Holts Summit man charged with killing his grandmother in 2012 has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity and will be committed to a state mental institution.

Ryan Koebel is accused of stabbing and shooting his grandmother, Karen Coates, to death.

Prosecutors said he also shot at state troopers on Highway 54 after the murder.

Judge Kevin Crane ordered a mental exam for Koebel. He underwent a total of four mental health evaluations.

On Friday afternoon, he entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. The plea was accepted by the state and the court.

Callaway County Prosecuting Attorney Chris Wilson said the victims in the case support the outcome.

Wilson said Koebel is now in custody of the Missouri State Department of Mental Health.

“What the judge found is that Mr. Koebel suffered from a mental disease and defect excluding responsibility, and that disease or defect diagnosed was schizophrenia,” Wilson told ABC 17 News. “He’s there to remain for treatment. He cannot be released without a court hearing, so there’s no fear that he will just be treated and released anytime soon.”

All victims testified in court and believed that Koebel did in fact suffer from some kind of mental defect.