A Phoenix man convicted of killing his son with an ax will serve a life sentence in a state mental hospital.
A Maricopa County Supreme Court judge found Gary Reagan Sherrill guilty except insane of first-degree murder Friday.
Sherrill had a bench trial.
He was sentenced to life and placed under the jurisdiction of the state Psychiatric Review Board.
Prosecutors say Sherrill will head to prison if he is ever determined not to be a danger to himself or others.
Authorities arrested him at his home in December 2013 after discovering his 13-year-old son's body New Year's Eve.
Sherrill's ex-wife called police after he failed to return their son and she couldn't reach him.
Officers say the boy had suffered stab wounds and lacerations all over his body.
