AUBURN – A judge has ruled that a local man charged with attempted murder in connection with a machete assault was not criminally responsible.

Neil Donovan, 36, of 561 Broad St. was found not criminally responsible by reason of mental disease or mental defect, according to court records.

Donovan was transferred last week from Androscoggin County Jail to Riverview Psychiatric Center in Augusta and into the custody of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, a jail administrator said.

Justice Thomas Delahanty II made his ruling a week ago at the conclusion of a bench trial in Androscoggin County Superior Court, after hearing testimony by a psychiatrist and a psychologist who performed evaluations of Donovan. An Auburn police detective also testified at the trial.

Donovan waived his right to a jury trial.

He was indicted in October on charges of attempted murder and elevated aggravated assault, each punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

The charges stemmed from an alleged confrontation between Donovan and James Milbrath.

Milbrath was manager at a building supply company where Donovan had worked under Milbrath, police said.

One day in late August, Donovan confronted Milbrath at his office and attacked him, he told Auburn police.

Donovan told Milbrath, “I am going to cut your head off,” while swinging a machete at him.

Milbrath suffered a deep cut to his arm and cuts to his back and neck, sending him to the hospital where he underwent surgery, according to a police affidavit. Police said they found a blood-stained machete in Donovan’s car.

During a ride to Auburn Police Department, Donovan said he was Jesus Christ and was “sick of his old boss harassing him,” police said.

Police ended an interview with Donovan because he didn’t acknowledge an understanding of his constitutional rights, police said.

The court said Donovan should be held in state custody “unless and until the court finds that release or discharge is not likely to cause injury to the defendant or to others.” He could be discharged at that time.