Official: Shooting Suspect's Release Not His Fault

Mark Becker, 24, of Parkersburg, has been charged with first degree murder in the shooting death of Ed Thomas.

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Jun 26, 2009 at 10:40 AM CST

Story Updated: Feb 10, 2010 at 5:31 PM CST

DES MOINES (AP) - A Butler County mental health official says he's not to blame for the release of a man who later is accused of killing a Parkersburg football coach.

Butler County Sheriff Jason Johnson says in a statement that he asked the county's central point coordinator on mental health to notify him when Mark Becker would be released from a psychiatric evaluation, but that didn't happen.

On Friday, the central point coordinator, Bob Lincoln, says such a request is outside the scope of his duties. He declined further comment.

Becker was released Tuesday from a Waterloo hospital, where he was taken after being arrested on charges of threatening a Cedar Falls man and fleeing police. On Wednesday, he's accused of gunning down coach Ed Thomas at a high school weight room.

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