( CNN ) -- A man who in 2001 ran over five people , killing four of them , then exclaimed he was the `` angel of death , '' will be transferred from a California mental hospital to a less restrictive facility . David Attias , son of director Daniel Attias , has been at Patton State Hospital in San Bernardino , California , for the past 10 years . On February 23 , 2001 , David Attias sped down a road in Isla Vista , near the campus of the University of California-Santa Barbara . He ran over five people and hit nine parked cars . Elie Israel , Chris Divis , Nick Bourdakis and Ruth Levy died that night and Ruth 's brother , Albert , suffered debilitating injuries . Attias was reportedly forcibly detained by witnesses that night and told them he was the `` angel of death . '' He was convicted in June 2002 of four murders , but a week later a jury ruled him not guilty by reason insanity . This month , Judge Thomas R. Adams ruled that Attias can be released from the hospital and be treated at a less restrictive facility . But if Attias `` falters in his treatment rehabilitation '' he will be sent back to Patton hospital . `` The David Attias that was called to testify by the prosecution was clearly not the same vacant , troubled and confused David Attias that this court first became acquainted with in 2001 . '' Santa Barbara Senior Deputy District Attorney Paula Waldman told CNN affiliate KTLA that Attias , now 30 , should stay at Patton State Hospital . `` You ca n't ignore history , '' Waldman said , according to the KTLA report . `` Every scientist will tell you the best predictor of the future is the past . He is a violent human being . '' One of the victims ' fathers agreed . `` A lot of people , unfortunately , could get hurt , '' Tony Bourdakis told KTLA . Attias ' attorney , public defender Deedrea Edgar , said he will still get around-the-clock state supervision at the new facility . He just wo n't be behind walls and barbed wire anymore , she said . In the ruling , Adams said he heard from seven witnesses and only one health professional objected to Attias being released . That person had never met Attias , the judge noted . Adams wrote that each defense witness said Attias was no longer a danger to others .
David Attias has been behind the walls of a mental institution for many years . He can now get treatment at an independent clinic . He killed four people in 2001 when he plowed his car down a California highway . He was convicted then pronounced not guilty by reason of insanity .