GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A man accused of attacking a Grand Rapids Township fire lieutenant in November, shoving his thumb into the lieutenant’s eye, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
Robert Joppe entered the plea during an appearance this week in Kent County Circuit Court. He has been in custody since the attack at the fire station on East Beltline Avenue near Knapp Street NE.
“It’s an admission that he did it was just he couldn’t control it and so we get him into the treatment process,” Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker told News 8. “He understands what is going on now, but looking back on the time this crime happened, he was undergoing some kind mental illness and could not conform to what he needed to do.”…