Herbert Jones, the man who was charged with loading a gun outside Portland High School last year is being sent to a state mental hospital, but charges of attempted murder were dismissed.

In a plea agreement, prosecutors agreed to dismiss the charge of attempted murder and agreed that Jones was not criminally responsible because of a mental disease for stalking a woman and for possessing a gun on school grounds. The result is that Jones will be placed in the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services and will receive mental health treatment until a court decides he is no longer a threat to himself or to others.

Cumberland County Superior Court Justice Robert Crowley said the plea agreement serves justice and the public interest. and minimizes risk for both the prosecution and defense.

Jones himself said he thought the verdict was appropriate.