What an example of John l4:12 “Because you believe in Me greater works will you do than I for I go to My Father” healingg the Hebrews 6:6 “We crucify Christ afresh and put Christ to an open shame”;i.e., the Demons of War being exposed finally in such depth
Chaplain Mary Murphy

I am writing on behalf of my Husband, an honorably discharged Vet who served with distinction for over 25 years, before he fell ill to his undiagnosed Bipolar Disorder, Adjustment Disorder, OCD, and severe Depression and anxiety. He has a host of service connected physical issues as well, which according to his Dr, contributed to his implosion. He is currently considered disabled by the VA due to his service connected disabilities.

The Dr who wrote his pre-sentencing report emphatically stated, after extensive testing, that this was a one time crime. He did not fit any of the of the categories for predators, the police hounded him, during hours of conversations until his poor impulse control and lack of decision making were enough to make him submit. They initiated and entrapped him.

The poor representation of his attorney was emphasized by his opening statement “judge, your probably going to laugh at what we are going to propose”. In addition to his failure to emphasize the actions were a direct result of his service connected disabilities (Bipolar NOS, GAD, Severe Depression).

46 months in a Federal Prison, given his host of physical and mental issues, all documented by the VA, seems cruel and unusual.

Please read the whole e-mail if you can as I do not know where to turn. If you are unable to help, could you please refer us to someone that may be able to?

This is a matter in which my husband of 9 years, who after serving in the Recruiting command, for 14 years (high stress) who is a great father and husband, with no criminal history, committed a “sex offense”. He had what is called a manic episode after being under tremendous stress, and being awake for 3 days. From what I have read, this type of behavior, or many types of weird behavior, are often a result of an undiagnosed or diagnosed mental health issue?

He was caught up in an internet sting. He after repeated requests to meet, over hours of chatting in an ADULT chat-room, despite repeated requests from police to send graphic pictures (he did not) drove to meet a well developed (they sent a picture) but never stopped, never exited his car, and was leaving when arrested. Subsequently he was jailed, and due to a well publicized rift with state prosecutors, his charge went Federal.

We also believe they used his position in the Military (he was AGR in the recruiting command with the Utah Army National Guard) for publicity. Sir, i Have known this man for over 10 years and have seen the slow course to implosion.

He denied his depression and began to self medicate (drinking). His family and close friends saw a huge change in him. He was depressed, anxious, irritable, had huge mood swings, and could not turn his mind off and could not sleep for days. If we would have recognized the symptoms of the Bipolar Disorder, we would have intervened. He was getting promoted to E-8 and refused to seek mental health help for fear his career would be over, which ultimately it was anyway.

He of course, has been disgraced, lost his career, retirement, home (bankruptcy) reputation, and most of his friends. The local media (Utah) is extremely biased, and loves a juicy story about “supposed” threat to the children. He in fact recruited for 14 years in and around high school students, coached at the middle school level, and substituted at the elementary, middle, and high school levels for years without one single mention of impropriety.

What happened to due process? When a man who is supposedly “innocent until proven guilty” has his face and name splashed across the news and internet for days…how could he expect to receive a fair and unbiased trial? The police, despite him being innocent until proven guilty, and fabricating and coercing answers from him, despite his repeatedly telling them he was up for 3 days, under a tremendous amount of stress, coerced answers, lead him into answers, and publicly humiliated him, all before he was found guilty of anything.

As a side note, there have been numerous educators, and Police Officers that have actually had sex with minors, yet received far, far less punishment. What happened to fair and equal punishment? This was part of an internet sting. He did break the law, but as his Psychologists mentioned in his official evaluations, given his poor judgment and lack of impulse control during a manic episode, he succumbed to repeated requests by the officers to meet. He did not however, despite repeated requests by the officers, posing as a minor, send any pictures of himself or his genitals. There was nothing in the police transcripts to indicate he was masturbating. In addition his computers were seized, but later returned as there was no evidentiary value on them.

He has been evaluated extensively and has taken a detailed sex inventory with no remarkable results. The psychologist stated that he shows no signs of the several pedophile tendencies. The evaluation essentially states that due to his long lasting,extremely high-level of occupational, marital, physical stresses, he imploded.

Yet another reason I am writing you in particular is that, unfortunately after the fact, was diagnosed with the following severe mental Illnesses: Chronic Adjustment Disorder Bipolar NOS Chronic Pain Disorder with both a general medical condition and phsyclogical factors GAD He has also been diagnosed with several severe physical issues as well.

I was amazed when the Federal Judge, during his sentencing actually asked “how could being Bipolar make you commit a crime”? I am shocked, that Federal Judge, with all the evaluations in front of him, outlining his severe mental and physical issues, could ask such a question? Even without the evaluations, just being in that position for 15 plus years would surely mean he has come across such a disorder before? The Judge, sentenced him to 46 months. This is insane? A crime with no victim? 46 months? And we wonder, if a recent supreme court decision concerning VET’s may help?

http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/09pdf/08-10537.pdf

This is clearly yet another case of the continuing criminalization of mentally ill Veterans if I have ever heard of one????