Post by libby on Jan 30, 2016 14:00:13 GMT -6
An unusual insanity plea highlights the limits of state mental health services
FULTON, Mo. • Had it not been for his insanity plea, Sean Cory Carter might have served just 10 days in jail for hitting a mental health worker in the eye in 1992.
That’s all the time the state prosecutor recommended in the misdemeanor case.
Instead, his plea has placed him in what some call a “black hole” — one that is sapping what little hope the 43-year-old has of a life outside of secure mental health facilities.
His lawyer is now challenging the case, saying a public defender messed up nearly 24 years ago. Carter should be freed, the lawyer recently argued in court.
Read more: www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/an-unusual-insanity-plea-highlights-the-limits-of-state-mental/article_ba5f11e5-1386-5485-9c2d-cfad70f05034.html
FULTON, Mo. • Had it not been for his insanity plea, Sean Cory Carter might have served just 10 days in jail for hitting a mental health worker in the eye in 1992.
That’s all the time the state prosecutor recommended in the misdemeanor case.
Instead, his plea has placed him in what some call a “black hole” — one that is sapping what little hope the 43-year-old has of a life outside of secure mental health facilities.
His lawyer is now challenging the case, saying a public defender messed up nearly 24 years ago. Carter should be freed, the lawyer recently argued in court.
Read more: www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/an-unusual-insanity-plea-highlights-the-limits-of-state-mental/article_ba5f11e5-1386-5485-9c2d-cfad70f05034.html