Fairfax County, Va. – Two families of murder victims are publicly voicing their alarm after learning that men who pleaded not‑guilty‑by‑reason‑of‑insanity (NGRI) have been granted permission to leave the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute without an escort.
Background of the cases
Abdulloi Toshpulodzoda, a Tajik citizen charged with second‑degree murder, entered the United States lawfully in 2009, later violating his immigration status. After an NGRI plea, he was committed to the state mental‑health facility. In June, a Department of Homeland Security judge ordered his removal, and he departed the country on July 6 in compliance with the order.
Olivia Setti‑Camfiord’s brother was convicted of killing her father in July 2021. He, too, received an NGRI plea and was placed at the same institute. Setti‑Camfiord recently discovered that her brother was approved for daytime outings without an escort and even posted on Facebook about volunteering at a local thrift store.
Gitan Glyer’s brother, Gret Glyer, the founder of the DonorSee Foundation, was shot to death in his bed in June 2022. Glyer says she was unaware that her brother’s killer could eventually be released into the community until she heard about the Toshpulodzoda case.
Families’ concerns
Both families say they received little notice about the release privileges. Setti‑Camfiord received a vague notification that her brother was eligible for outings but no details on how to protect her safety. When she sought a meeting with the prosecutor, a victim advocate told her the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office was “doing what they can” and would not speak with her.
Glyer expressed fear for her own family, noting that her brother’s killer has two children under two years old. She also criticized Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano, saying his office appears to allow murderers to avoid trial and prison by accepting NGRI pleas.
Legal context
Under Virginia law, a murder victim’s next of kin must formally request notice if a defendant is slated for release. Glyer says victim advocates never informed her family of this requirement, nor that mental‑health facilities can independently grant outings despite judicial orders.
The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office explained that once its own expert clinician determines a defendant is legally insane, it becomes functionally impossible to secure a conviction at trial, which is why the office often accepts NGRI pleas.
Prosecutorial and medical involvement
Both cases involve the same physician, Dr. Azure Baron, who signed off on unescorted community privileges for the two defendants. Fairfax County officials have not confirmed whether Dr. Baron remains employed.
The office of Commonwealth’s Attorney Descano declined to comment when approached for comment on either case.
Immigration angle
Regarding Toshpulodzoda’s departure, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that under the Trump administration, “criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S.” The spokesperson confirmed the removal order and the defendant’s voluntary departure to Tajikistan.
What’s next?
Victims’ families are urging the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office to reconsider its handling of NGRI pleas and to provide clearer notification and protection measures for surviving relatives. They also call for greater oversight of mental‑health facility release policies.
The cases highlight ongoing tension between public safety, victims’ rights, and the legal framework that allows defendants found not guilty by reason of insanity to be committed rather than imprisoned.
Original reporting: Arlington County | FOX 5 DC — read the source article.
