Woman who killed mother in Merced County ‘satanic’ ritual not guilty by reason of insanity

A Dos Palos woman was committed to the Department of State Hospitals for life Thursday after she was deemed insane when she killed her mother in a brutal stabbing two years ago.

During a Dec. 3 hearing, Merced County Judge Jeanne Schechter ruled that 39-year-old Melissa Bal killed her mother, 55-year-old Lydia Marie Bal in 2017.

But Melissa Bal was found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity after Schechter heard the results of mental health evaluations .

Melissa Bal will be admitted to the state hospital within 60 days of Thursday, and will need to stay there for at least six months. She could spend the rest of her life there.

Schechter noted that Bal was taking her medication. But if there were any problems with the medication, hospital staff should inform the court.

If doctors at any point determine Bal was fit to be released from the hospital, medical officials would first have to consult the Merced County Superior Court.

“I think it’s a very sad case,” said Merced County Deputy District Attorney Travis Colby, the lead prosecutor.

Colby said he has been in touch with Bal’s family, who is “heartbroken” over the case.

“Unfortunately, we’re dealing with somebody who’s suffering from severe mental issues,” Colby said. “And I really hope for her sake and society’s sake that she addresses that appropriately.”

Bal’s attorney, Jonathan Richter, declined to comment.

‘Covered in blood’

Merced County deputies arrived at a trailer on the property of a Dos Palos residence on Oct. 11, 2017, after Melissa Bal called 9-1-1 to report she stabbed her mother.

During the call, she calmly told the 9-1-1 operator that she killed her mother by stabbing her and cutting her throat, and that she has a history of mental illness.

As the operator continued to ask questions, Melissa Bal snapped as she realized the gravity of what she had done.

“There’s no reason for it,” Bal said in the call. “I don’t know.”

Bal stabbed her mother during a struggle at least 20 times with an 8-inch kitchen knife, according to investigation reports.

When deputies arrived at the home, deputies found Melissa Bal “covered in blood” and her mother dead, according to a news release.

The San Diego native then told investigators “It was a calling to kill” her mother as part of a “satanic practice,” according to reports.

Family members also told investigators Melissa Bal had mental issues, she made troubling statements of a sexual nature the night before the homicide, and that she would occasionally make statements referring to satanic practices.

This story was originally published December 19, 2019 at 12:22 PM.