KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. (AP) -- A Klamath Falls man who tried to organize a Valentine's Day suicide party and was charged with solicitation to commit murder has been sentenced to the state mental hospital.
A Klamath County Circuit Court judge on Tuesday sentenced Gerald Krein Jr., 27, to up to 20 years in the custody of the Oregon Psychiatric Security Review Board.
Under state law, suspects found guilty "except for insanity" are sent to the State Hospital rather than jail or prison.
In 2005, Krein formed a Yahoo chat room to organize "Suicide Party 2005," asking women to hang themselves naked on Valentine's Day. But a woman concerned that children might be harmed alerted authorities.
Klamath County Sheriff Tim Evinger said detectives found six women who expressed interest, including a few with children, but those women denied planning a murder of their children. They included women from Virginia, Missouri, Georgia and Canada.
Krein was arrested Feb. 9, 2005 and indicted on Valentine's Day. He was taken to the state hospital in October after a psychiatrist determined he suffered from "a myriad of mental health disorders."
Klamath County District Attorney Ed Caleb said Krein will remain in custody and be supervised and evaluated daily. He could be released early depending on his mental status, Caleb said.
"He will stay there until they are convinced he is no longer a threat to the community," Caleb said.
