While (like today) we often chronicle cases of police abuse or controversies, we do have on occasion the opportunity to recognize extraordinary police work and commendable restraint. Such is the case with the apprehension of George Rogers, 36, who attacked Philadelphia police with a samurai sword covered with swastikas and a skull. Police did not simply shoot him and call it justifiable force. He was instead subdued and is now charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and weapons offenses.
Rogers called police to say that he had just doused the rowhouse apartment with gasoline and was going to torch the place. This would have made any discharge of a weapon dangerous.
Rogers lives with his mother and was clearly suicidal. The police used a “bat shield” and busted through the barricaded door. Rogers slashed at the shield with the sword but was brought down with a taser.
The police have dubbed him “The Last Samurai.”
They found no gasoline or fuel, which is fortunate because we have seen a couple of cases of tasers igniting suspects in such circumstances, here and here. They did find an assortment of weapons including nunchucks, a crossbow, a hunting bow, a larger sword. and several throwing knives.
Jones is covered with tattoos, including a large one on his neck reading “Only God can judge.” He may have been a bit premature on that one.
For the full story, click here.
Sally,
Ce serait bien si le system ne manquèrent pas les gens qui ont besoin d’aide le plus.
For the rest of you….
It would be nice if the system did not fail the people that need the help the most.
AY:
That’s some interesting information there. I do think that if someone is making sucidal or death threats that they should be watched at a psych ward.
What ticks me off is that they let people like that out and sex offenders, but man, lock up those pot dealers and throw away the keys!! The system needs work, major work.
I meant to respond back sooner, from my fancy new blackberry, but I couldn’t sign in at gravatar.com and then go to this blog.
“We recognize that our interpretation … may have consequences for hospitals that Congress may or may not have considered or intended,” Judge Eric Clay wrote. “However, our duty is only to read the statute as it is written.”
Sally, here is a case for you,
Quoting the law, Clay said it applies to “any individual” who suffers personal harm.
Christopher Howard, now 42, was physically ill, making threats and showing signs of mental illness when Irons took him to Providence’s emergency room in Southfield in December 2002.
Four days later, a doctor recommended that Howard be transferred to a unit for the mentally ill. The transfer, however, never occurred. Howard eventually was discharged, with another doctor saying he didn’t need to go to the psychiatric unit.
Irons, 41, was killed while she slept at her home in Southfield, 10 days after Howard’s release. She had two cuts to her neck. The couple’s 2-year-old son was found unhurt just inches away.
Howard is serving a life sentence for first-degree murder.
Link: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=7272063
Unfortunately it does not get any better for anyone.
Sally,
“AY:
I am thinking the attempted murder charge comes from the fact that he slashed his sword at the shield or the fact that he said he doused the home with gasoline and was going to light it (maybe his mother was home?) Although his gasoline story turned out made up.
I’m surprised that the hospital released him after 7 hrs of evaluation. One would think that they would learn enough about him and put him in a psych ward for his safety and others safety.”
*******************
When you are dealing with MHR candidates they can be very crafty and talk themselves out of the necessary treatment. With that said that said I do remember a case that came out of Michigan where the hospital released a person that the Psychiatrist wanted to admit. But for other health reasons he was medically admitted. I do believe that the surrounding circumstances were pretty much the same. However in the Detroit case he was released and ended up killing 3 or 4 people.
When people make statements such as these they are asking for help in some way. All too often the system fails them. Here we have now a person that will get lost in the criminal side and his primary issues will never be addressed. I would like Mike S’s point of order in this.
AY:
I am thinking the attempted murder charge comes from the fact that he slashed his sword at the shield or the fact that he said he doused the home with gasoline and was going to light it (maybe his mother was home?) Although his gasoline story turned out made up.
I’m surprised that the hospital released him after 7 hrs of evaluation. One would think that they would learn enough about him and put him in a psych ward for his safety and others safety
Isn’t great that the police officers had the option to use the taser. If not he would most likely have been shot.
Where do you learn to stick a sword in someones heart and pull it out with it?
That sounds cool
They even found the right use for a taser. Impressive! (Although if he had gotten a lot of gasoline on himself, it might have still been ugly.)
And @Anonymous, the police/government don’t have the authority to get someone help who is an adult and doesn’t want it, unless he’s been charged with a crime. Now he has, now he can be sent to a psych ward.
This is clearly an over charge. If a person calls and says that I am suicidal, sure charge him with attempted murder. Don’t get him help. That is asking way too much out of our system. Lock em up for the safety of all. Its safer for them in prison. They will be taken well care of, by the other inmates.