The Throat Slasher Yesterday

I guessed yesterday from initial reports that he was mentally ill. And yes, this isn't the first time that he has done this, and deinstitutionalization played a role. From the August 28, 2007 Chicago Tribune:

The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Kenton Drew Astin, worked at CU last year as a cashier at the Alferd Packer Grill at the student center, school officials said. He was arrested and hospitalized Monday with serious stab wounds, the school said.

Astin was sent to a state mental hospital in 2001 after being accused of stabbing a 21-year-old Longmont man. Court records show Astin pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity on charges including attempted first-degree murder in that case.

And so he was released?