Meth-Induced Madness Leads to Insanity Plea in Lane County Murder Case

On Wednesday, Travis William Crum, 57, charged with the Lane County murder of 73-year-old Stephen Perry Bream in 2021, was found guilty and sentenced to life in the care of the Psychiatric Security Review Board.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that deputies responded to a reported burglary on Hall Road on March 23, 2021, and encountered the body of Bream, who died as a result of homicidal violence.

Investigators identified Crum as the suspected killer and arrested him later that night after residents reported him throwing sticks at passing vehicles on Highway 36.

Charged with first-degree murder, the court records indicated that Crum was later found unfit to stand trial as he was using methamphetamine around the time of the murder. This caused him  “bizarre and persistent delusions.”

Crum was found guilty by reason of insanity on Wednesday after waiving his right to a jury trial. He will be sent to the Oregon State Hospital and will be under the supervision of the Psychiatric Security Review Board for life.

The sentence provides that Crum be checked regularly for methamphetamine or other stimulant use.