Man accused of sex abuse to be freed

Outrage! UT Sex Offender Walks Free!STORY HIGHLIGHTSThe judge says he was following a Utah statuteJohnson has been diagnosed with a cognitive disorderHe faces numerous counts of sex offenses against childrenAlleged victim's mother says Johnson is faking a mental illness to avoid trial (CNN) -- A Utah judge has ordered a registered sex offender who faces nearly two dozen charges of child sex abuse released on the basis that he is mentally incompetent to stand trial.

At a hearing on Thursday, Fourth District Judge James Taylor, who previously ruled Lonnie Johnson incompetent to be tried on sex crime charges, said there were no legal grounds for holding him.

"We are at the end of the road...I can't do anything but have him released from the state hospital," Taylor said at Thursday's hearing.

Taylor said he was following a Utah statute requiring the release of anyone deemed incompetent to stand trial and who has not been convicted of a crime.

Johnson, 38, has been diagnosed with a cognitive disorder. Doctors who examined Johnson found his competency could not be restored. They also said he is not a danger to society and did not qualify for involuntary institutional commitment.

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