Story perspectives

Jason Eaton Convicted in 2023 Burlington Shooting

By Drooid · Sep 21, 2026, 8:00 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Jason Eaton Convicted

Jason Eaton was found guilty of three counts of attempted second-degree murder for the 2023 Burlington shooting.
The jury rejected Eaton’s insanity claim, finding him criminally responsible after mental-health experts testified.
The three victims—Hisham Awartani, Tahseen Ali Ahmad, and Kinnan Abdalhamid—sustained severe injuries, including paralysis and chest wounds.
The shooting occurred two days after Thanksgiving near the University of Vermont campus in downtown Burlington.

Summary

Judge Pacht Denies Motions

Judge John Pacht repeatedly rejected Eaton’s motions to fire his public defenders and to represent himself.
Eaton claimed his attorneys failed to question witnesses and present evidence for his insanity defense.
Defense lawyer Margaret Jansch challenged state psychiatrist Dr. Jhilam Biswas’s limited experience with Vermont insanity cases.
Biswas testified Eaton suffered personality disorder and cannabis-induced paranoia, not a legal mental disease.

History

Historical Context

John Hinckley Jr. attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan on March 30, 1981; a federal jury found him not guilty by reason of insanity on June 21, 1982 on all 13 counts. The verdict prompted Congress and several states to rewrite insanity-defense statutes. In 2023, that legacy shaped the Burlington trial of Jason Eaton, whose cannabis-induced paranoia claim was challenged by psychiatrist Dr. Jhilam Biswas.

1 of 3

Jason Eaton Convicted

Jason Eaton was found guilty of three counts of attempted second-degree murder for the 2023 Burlington shooting.
The jury rejected Eaton’s insanity claim, finding him criminally responsible after mental-health experts testified.
The three victims—Hisham Awartani, Tahseen Ali Ahmad, and Kinnan Abdalhamid—sustained severe injuries, including paralysis and chest wounds.
The shooting occurred two days after Thanksgiving near the University of Vermont campus in downtown Burlington.

1 / 3