Williamsburg, Va. - Owen Atlee Walker stabbed Danielle Knarr to death 26 times in front of her two young children. He confessed his crime to NewsChannel 3 in a jailhouse interview in 2010.
"At the time of the actual incident, I was completely out of my own control,” admitted Walker.
Walker was found not guilty by reason of insanity and confined to Eastern State Hospital.
Five years later, the definition of confined has a whole new meaning which is raising concerns in the community.
“I belong to a fellowship up in a Williamsburg community open to anybody and everybody who would like to come, and I’ve seen him as recently as this past Saturday night, says Robin Dill, who is raising concerns.
NewsChannel 3 confirmed with employees at a Williamsburg Kentucky Fried Chicken that Walker briefly worked there at the food chain in the community.
NewsChannel 3 reached out to Eastern State to inquire about Walker’s freedom of movement, and while they declined to speak to his specific case, citing privacy laws.
They say there are six privilege levels within their system. The fifth level is ‘unescorted community' on which the individual is allowed to go alone into the community.
Dill says this has given Walker access to a friend of his, dangerous access in his opinion.
“I know he has gotten involved with a friend of mine that I am scared for her and so are a lot of other people,” says Dill.
Robin's friend used his computer and in a screen grab, there is an image of Owen Atlee Walker.
“I saw that he was emailing her at least 15, 20 times a day, and I began to look at the emails and I was horrified, scared I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
One image that was emailed was that of a woman with a belt around her neck.
Robin views the belt around the neck image as a potential threat.
“I believe potentially, he will hurt her, beat her up or actually kill her,” says Dill.
So he sent the email and photos to the Attorney's General’s office, the Governor’s Office, and the joint commission on healthcare.
This week, Walker was up for review in Newport News Circuit Court - a hearing that would determine if he would be granted conditional release.
“At that point in time, the court sent him back to Eastern State to remain hospitalized,” says White.
His office was not free to comment on whether any of the complaints about Walker played a role in his review being denied.
So Walker remains hospitalized at Eastern State, but is still free to move about the Williamsburg community as his treatment permits.
Robin admits the woman he is trying to protect is a former girlfriend, and he could be viewed as a spurned lover, but he says he would rather her hate him than have her life in danger.
“My worst fear is that this woman that I care about, that he beats her, kills her, maims her; that's my worst fear,” says Dill.
