Veterans increasingly find service helps in court

breitbart.com ^ | May 22, 1010 | PAUL ELIAS

[PROCON]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The plea was passionate, dramatic and effective: haunted to addiction by memories of a Bosnian mass grave and the shooting of a teen in Honduras, former U.S. Army Capt. Sargent Binkley robbed two Silicon Valley pharmacies for painkillers. A Santa Clara County jury came back in January 2009 with a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity for the first robbery. Because of that verdict, a San Mateo County judge in March approved a plea bargain between Binkley and prosecutors that called for mental health treatment rather than a lengthy prison sentence for the second pharmacy stickup.

[ARepublicanForAllReasons]

I'd give him leniency for extenuating circumstances, if PTSS could be proved, but don't think his military service entirely exculpates him. And a 'two-track system' is not needed. It's ironic that I agree with the ACLU on this point. But they are hypocrites, being long time advocates of special rights for all PC minorities. I make no exceptions.

It's not as if he stole a loaf of bread to feed his starving family. He used a gun, putting lives in danger. I wonder why he felt it better to perpetrate hold-ups rather than go to a doctor for a prescription.

[Moltke]

It’d be nice if help were available before the courts need to get involved. Of course, the affected might need to seek out help before going criminal, as well. Inhibiton to seek out treatment may play a role (”I can handle this by myself...”). And then TSHTF.