Man Who Attacked Cop At NJ Hotel Found Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity, Judge Rules

PARSIPPANY, NJ — A man charged with attacking an off-duty police officer at the Chiller Theatre Expo in Parsippany has been found not guilty by reason of insanity, according to a report.

Officials had charged Connecticut resident David Knestrick with stabbing the other man, who was working as private security for the event, and causing critical injuries. The incident happened on Oct. 30 of 2022 during the event, which is a convention for horror film and sci-fi fans held at the Hilton Parsippany.

According to a report from the Daily Record, Superior Court Judge Claudia Jones issued a finding that Knestrick's attorneys proved he was suffering from mental health issues that affected his reasoning on the day of the attack.

The off-duty officer had intervened when Knestrick went to take a cell phone away from a young boy at the event, according to the report. His attorney earlier said that Knestrick believed the expo "was a prime setting for human traffickers to engage children and adults," the report said.

The ruling does not mean the 48-year-old is innocent, and he will have to continue outpatient mental health treatment before a final Krol hearing in August, as the Daily Record reported. He will be allowed to be released into the community under certain restrictions and monitoring conditions, the report said.

Earlier coverage — 1 Stabbed At Parsippany Hotel Halloween Event: Police