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July 30th, 2012
11:05 AM ET
Atty: Holmes received psychiatric help
Theater shooting suspect James Holmes attorney says Holmes was seeing a psychiatrist at the time of the shooting.
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The Bible tells of evil spirits controlling individuals if human beings allow them to (see Acts 19: 16)
As much as I feel so sad for all the family members of those that were killed, I do think there was something wrong with this young man to do something like this. This isn't some kid on drugs who had no intelligence or a history of getting into trouble. This was a young man who had everything in the world going for him. What happened? I think this could be the start of in depth research to find out what issues are troubling our youth and what can be done to prevent this from happening again. If he is found mentally competent to stand trial and is not found insane; I would agree then, and only then, that an eye for an eye is warranted.
I have never posted here or written in to a tv news show but this bothers me. Obviously, this is a tragedy and my heart goes out to the victims. But, this case is a very clear example of the problem of mental illness and our refusal and/or inability to deal with it. Any intelligent person could see that a very bright young man, with no history of problems, had a psychotic break. Where is the discussion about treating mental health the way we treat other sickness in the body? It's much easier to demonize this young man and call for" justice" via prison or execution. The legal system and homeless populations are filled with people who became sick and lost touch with reality.
I had a "nervous breakdown" or psychotic break myself some years back. Fortunately, my episode was not violent and did not end so dramatically. I am perfectly fine today as was prior to that. I do not have schizophrenia or any other known condition. I was put on a very lose dosage of antidepressants and another medicine and have been fine since. So, I understand, first hand, what it means to not know what is real and what is not. Under the right circumstances, in times of stress and if you are genetically predisposed, an otherwise normal person can have a psychotic break. So, not speaking about the perpetrator is counterproductive. Persecuting the gunman may help those he caused suffering to feel better in the short term and simplify our lives, but it will not help us prevent or respond to these situations better.
I agree so much with you Annonymous. Everybody thinks after the fact, but not before. I've worked un ER, and I've seen more than once Baker Act patients; this prevents tragedies. Obviously, Holmes flipped to the other side , and being trained in medicine, the brain is pure chemical and electric process, the "cables" can start acting abnormal at any moment, can happen to any human being. Being observant of others and doing our best to help is the way to go. My prayers to all victims, but I also will pray for him, it's a very sad situation , but anger and vindication will not prevent it from happening again.
I don't care if he was seeing a trillon phyc's,he is guilty,give him a fast trial and burn him.That is the only way this crap is going to stop.If you kill and make other people in a family pain you are useless to sociaty and deserve to die.AN EYE FOR AN EYE as the old testament quotes.Jim Thomas Phx.Az.