Houston Herczog, my beloved son--WE NEED HELP

[Magick]

Linda, Thank you for this eloquent plea for Houston, from first hand experience . I hope everyone reads this and becomes more informed on the disastrous lack of services, understanding and compassion for the mentally ill.
Its amazing that Houston was giving to others even as he suffered from his own demons and depression.
KEEP the LETTERS coming and let us know when you get any responses from DA Jill Ravitch.
Let's keep our attention on this until we see a shift. Best, magick

Dear Ms Ravitch,
I write to you as the former Food for Thought food bank manager, who for over fifteen years, worked with the Herczog family in their capacity as volunteers....

[sebastacat]

Hello everyone. The following is a letter which I just sent to Sonoma County District Attorney
Jill Ravitch:

Dear Ms. Ravitch:

I write this letter to you regarding the tragic Houston Herzog matter which is now before the Sonoma County Superior Court and which you, as Sonoma County's top prosecutor, are responsible for prosecuting.

While I do not know Houston Herzog personally, I know several people who do. Since I do not, my letter will be based on my observations and information which I have gleaned from various media sources.

I think we can both agree that Houston Herzog is a very disturbed young man who suffers from the "silent disease" -- mental illness. As I'm sure you know, funding sources for those who suffer from this disease have just about dried up. Accordingly, Houston Herzog was not able to receive much-necessary treatment for a condition which he acquired through no fault of his own.

I believe that a much better course of action would be to get this troubled young man into a facility where he can finally get the necessary and humane treatment that he desperately needs and is long overdue.

May you be guided by compassion.

[gypsey]

In the current May-June issue of Mother Jones magazine there is an in-depth article about the plight of the mentally ill in California and the US as well as Houston's experience. It is written by a cousin of his and is balanced, fair, and compassionate. I was personally enlightened by the interviews with the SonomaCounty jail personnel who do their best with a population that they were never trained or funded to deal with.

It's so easy to cast blame. But as the daughter of a famed advocate for the mentally ill in California, I know that the DA and the legal system face difficult choices. The services to help Houston, keep him safe and us safe are not in place and change cannot happen overnight. (Yes, we need to be safe, too.)

This is not about Jill Ravitch making the "right" decision; she'll have to work within legal guidelines and limited power. Nobody can wave a magic wand. It's about a big change and a long-term change, that needs to happen in our community and in our state...and it will take money and a will to make it happen.

I urge everyone to read the Mother Jones article by Mac Mclelland and to educate themselves about this complex and very human issue.

[Barry]

In the current May-June issue of Mother Jones magazine there is an in-depth article about the plight of the mentally ill in California and the US as well as Houston's experience. It is written by a cousin of his and is balanced, fair, and compassionate..

You can find a audio version of the complete article here.

[Magick]

Its great to see there are letters going out daily to DA Jill Ravitch. Thanks, Sebastacat for sending your well-written letter. Its important that you wrote, even though you don't know Houston, it is very valid that you want your voice to be counted as well since we are all concerned about the treatment of the mentally challenged.

Individual letters are said to carry alot of weight.

May Jill feel the responsibility that rests on her shoulders and recognize that this crisis offers an opportunity to change the way we deal with our dear ones who are suffering so profoundly.

Best, Magick

Hello everyone. The following is a letter which I just sent to Sonoma County District Attorney

[Barry]

It's great to see there are letters going out daily to DA Jill Ravitch.

Indeed it is! Thanks also to you, Magick, for helping keep a focus on this effort for compassion and justice!

[Magick]

Hello! While I agree there is no magic wand to be waved, magick is really the focus of intention on many levels. Right now the effort to write to our DA can bear fruit. Of course the DA's office has restrictions but it was not necessary to call a 4th opinion when 3 mental health professionals already confirmed his mental state and said he was not in a condition to know what he was doing, or be responsible for his actions.

As Houston's lawyer stated if you keep looking you will eventually find a different opinion.

It is important to note that no one is calling for revenge against Houston, quite the opposite. That is very unique. Even Mark's friends and family have stated that he would be fighting for his son, even now.

No one is calling for him to walk out and be a danger to society. We are calling for compassionate care, as we should for everyone. Our system is sadly based on punishment, not restorative justice, and this must change.

I recommend you read Returning to the Teachings by Rupert Ross a prosecutor in Canada who learned a new way we could deal with each other, that is humane and heals the society that creates so much pain, violence and suffering as well as the individuals who have lost their way.

I'm glad you mentioned the Mother Jones article and that you appreciated it. I will be reading it and commenting soon.
regards, Magick

In the current May-June issue of Mother Jones magazine there is an in-depth article about the plight of the mentally ill in California and the US as well as Houston's experience. It is written by a cousin of his and is balanced, fair, and compassionate. I was personally enlightened by the interviews with the SonomaCounty jail personnel who do their best with a population that they were never trained or funded to deal with.

It's so easy to cast blame. But as the daughter of a famed advocate for the mentally ill in California, I know that the DA and the legal system face difficult choices. The services to help Houston, keep him safe and us safe are not in place and change cannot happen overnight. (Yes, we need to be safe, too.)

This is not about Jill Ravitch making the "right" decision; she'll have to work within legal guidelines and limited power. Nobody can wave a magic wand. It's about a big change and a long-term change, that needs to happen in our community and in our state...and it will take money and a will to make it happen.

I urge everyone to read the Mother Jones article by Mac Mclelland and to educate themselves about this complex and very human issue.

[joybird]

Linda,

this is a heartbreaking and vulnerable letter and I appreciate your willingness to write it and share it.

Joy

Dear Ms Ravitch,
I write to you as the former Food for Thought food bank manager, who for over fifteen years, worked with the Herczog family in their capacity as volunteers.

When they were small and well into their early teens, Houston Herczog and his sister would stand with Marilyn and Mark in front of a designated grocery store on a Saturday, approaching strangers and asking them to donate a can or two of something needed to help feed those living with HIV/AIDS. They always were present and supportive at the food bank's fundraisers. Houston's mom was a regular fixture as part of my Wednesday morning crew, calling clients each week for their grocery orders, taking time to reach those who were on delivery because they were too feeble or unable to come in to receive their food. Like clockwork, this family showed up to give from their hearts---and now, I beseech you to take a moment, search your heart and return the favor for a family that has given so much.

There was a time where those living with HIV/AIDS were stigmatized here in Sonoma County because of their illness. And as we well know, this marginalization still exists in this world. Humans, suffering from a virus, those already living with such a horrific illness, punished. Services and care here once was non-existent and we fought, systematically and diligently to fill this void with housing, food, healthcare. Dual diagnosis issues were addressed. People took care of one another and of strangers. And, the battle still rages on.

Today, we stand at a similar crossroads: how to re-create what the Reagan Administration so thoughtlessly dismantled so that we may, somehow, help to restore services and assistance for those in our county who are dealing with such severe mental illness issues. As you well know, in the last 20-30 years, the resources that were set in place to care for those in our midst and their families living with these issues have all but dried up. Oakcrest closed its doors, as did most of the direct services provided by our own Public Health Department. Funding that once trickled down from the Feds to the State to our county for helping the mentally ill among us, has all but dried up. And what remains? Families, in the throes of crisis, watch their loved ones 5150'd or taken away to Oakland or Marin for temporary holding and evaluations, with little or no follow-up care plans once released. Families, unable to afford pricey private facilities, deal with the issues of their sons and daughters behind closed doors, fearful--as Mark and Marilyn Herczog were---that an uneducated and un-trained law enforcement officer called to intercede may accidentally murder their seemingly out of control child, as we saw happen here in Sebastopol a few years back.

But, today, we here reaching out to you, have one life to think about among many: Houston's. My last dealing with him was at the food bank, just a few months before Mark's murder. This kid, whose mom had dragged him in to volunteer because she was so concerned about his depressive state, stood in the walk-in freezer with me, stocking the shelves. I asked him to hang in there, to keep coming back and maybe it would help him feel better. He said, "nothing can help me feel better". And, in all my motherly wisdom, I told him, "just hang in there kiddo, its gonna be alright".

So, I implore you, Jill. Carefully read through these missives that are coming to you on this family's behalf. See that, instead of friends of Mark's yelling to lock his son up for what he took from them all that morning, this community is pleading for Houston's life and asking that we, that you, offer instead a compassionate alternative of treatment that can hopefully lead to eventual wellness, so that this troubled kid may have a true shot at becoming a productive member of society. I know there's goodness in there, inside of Huston, a decent kid, filled with regret who misses his dad, and who suffers, locked away behind his demons of mental illness. Look beyond the "letter of the law" as a true leader, and try to imagine what its like in the complicated and often untoward world of those living the nightmare of mental illness. As family, as friends and loved ones, as mothers filled with such fierce love for our children, and as those that voted wholeheartedly for you to take over and turn around the former DA's office and practices, we beg you to reconsider this case. Give this kid the care he needs. Maybe you can be the one to make it eventually "alright" for him and countless others like him, after all.

Thank you for your time.
Linda Schram-Williams

[joybird]

Here's my letter.


Dear Ms. Ravitch,
I am another county resident deeply moved by this tragedy. I ask you please to do the human thing here and make sure Houston is given the care he needs, not prison time.Listen to your heart, as ours are breaking.

Joy Helstien

[gypsey]

Magick,

thank you for introducing the topic of restorative justice in your response to my posting. It is a movement that has been successful in Canada and is now beginning in the USA.

As the former consultant to First Peoples Cultural Council of British Columiba (all 27+ tribes) I have front line knowledge of the restorative justice movement. And, as mentioned in my previous post, I also have experience through my late mother's decades of service to the mentally ill. I am not sure every--or even any-- mentally ill person is a candidate for restorative justice, or should be expected to make amends for an act that voices told them to do.

That said, if you (the Wacco community) google "restorative justice in Canada-what victims should know" and also go to www.rjworld.org (about the movement in the US from the point of view of offenders' advocates) you'll find more in-depth information regarding the concept Magick referred to.

What I actually hope right now is that Mac's article will galvanize all of us to become informed, speak out at the state level, and vote with our consciences and yes--with our wallets.

Hello! While I agree there is no magic wand to be waved, magick is really the focus of intention on many levels. Right now the effort to write to our DA can bear fruit. Of course the DA's office has restrictions but it was not necessary to call a 4th opinion when 3 mental health professionals already confirmed his mental state and said he was not in a condition to know what he was doing, or be responsible for his actions.

As Houston's lawyer stated if you keep looking you will eventually find a different opinion.

It is important to note that no one is calling for revenge against Houston, quite the opposite. That is very unique. Even Mark's friends and family have stated that he would be fighting for his son, even now.

No one is calling for him to walk out and be a danger to society. We are calling for compassionate care, as we should for everyone. Our system is sadly based on punishment, not restorative justice, and this must change.

I recommend you read Returning to the Teachings by Rupert Ross a prosecutor in Canada who learned a new way we could deal with each other, that is humane and heals the society that creates so much pain, violence and suffering as well as the individuals who have lost their way.

I'm glad you mentioned the Mother Jones article and that you appreciated it. I will be reading it and commenting soon.
regards, Magick

[Barry]

Thanks again for all your heartfelt letters.
The trial of Houston Herczog as begun.

If he is convicted of murder, a second trial will be held to determine whether he was sane at the time of the attack. If jurors say he was, he faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

A finding of insanity could put him in a mental hospital for many years.

Both sides estimate the first phase of the trial will be over in a few days.

You can see the PD article here:

https://www.pressdemocrat.com/articl...tc=pgall&tc=ar

May justice be served and Houston be given the medical treatment he needs. Please join with me in holding his mother, Marilyn and sister, Savannah, in our hearts during this difficult time.

[Barry]

The Mother Jones cover story, Schizophrenic. Killer. My Cousin. aboutHouston Herczog Is now available online here.

[Malene Rander Comes]

This is my letter to Jill Ravitch. It is a little more edgy, and less kind. There is nothing wrong with constructive anger on occasion.

Ms. Ravitch,

The Houston Herczog case is truly tragic. To prosecute this young man as a criminal is inexcusable. He is obviously psychotic. Psychosis is a severe mental illness that renders those who suffers out of touch with reality. It is not Mr. Herczog's fault that he suffers from a psychotic disorder, any more than it is someone's fault if they get cancer.

I can't imagine what your motivation is to continue to pursue this case as a criminal case, but I am not assigning any positive motivations, I can assure you of that.

If indeed you have integrity then you work to get this young man the help he needs. If you don't have integrity, then I will be happy to remember that next election cycle.

[theindependenteye]

>>>This is my letter to Jill Ravitch. It is a little more edgy, and less kind. There is nothing wrong with constructive anger on occasion.

I'm missing some knowledge here. How does the district attorney arrive at a decision not to prosecute a crime? If a person has been stabbed to death, does the DA have the authority to make the determination, prior to an indictment, that the confessed perpetrator is innocent? I would think that's a decision of the jury. There's generally a huge outcry — and often rightly so — if a DA fails to bring an indictment, for example, against a police officer who shoots an unarmed man, or as happened in Florida when someone claims self-defense.

As I've understood it, this jury makes the determination of guilt, and if guilty, another jury determines the question of insanity. Am I mistaken?

My personal opinion is that indeed the young man is schizophrenic and should receive care.

I have mixed feelings about the whole system of prosecution vs. defense that requires both sides to do their absolute utmost to put a winning spin on the evidence, whatever their personal beliefs. But given that we have a government office with a prosecutorial function, I don't understand how Ms. Ravitch can do otherwise than prosecute. I'm asking to be informed.

Peace & joy—
Conrad

[Dr Pam]

>>>This is my letter to Jill Ravitch. It is a little more edgy, and less kind. There is nothing wrong with constructive anger on occasion.

I'm missing some knowledge here. How does the district attorney arrive at a decision not to prosecute a crime? If a person has been stabbed to death, does the DA have the authority to make the determination, prior to an indictment, that the confessed perpetrator is innocent? I would think that's a decision of the jury. There's generally a huge outcry — and often rightly so — if a DA fails to bring an indictment, for example, against a police officer who shoots an unarmed man, or as happened in Florida when someone claims self-defense.

As I've understood it, this jury makes the determination of guilt, and if guilty, another jury determines the question of insanity. Am I mistaken?

Peace & joy—
Conrad

It's been a while since I did any work in connection with a case like this, but I'll put in my 2 cents. When the defendant has a mental illness, there are a number of events that can take place.

1) The defendant can be evaluated for Competency to Stand Trial. If by reason of the mental illness, the defendant is not able to understand the nature of the charges against them, participate in their own defense, or consult with counsel he or she is not competent to stand trial. There is no trial unless or until the defendant becomes competent. A competency evaluation is conducted by a forensic psychologist/psychiatrist.

2) The defendant can plead "Dimished Capacity" or "Irresistible Impulse." In states that recognize these pleas, if found to hold for the case, they result in a reduced sentence because the defendant is believed to be not fully responsible for his actions by reason of mental illness. Wikipedia tells me this was abolished in California in 2002.

3) The defendant can plead Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity. A trial takes place, and expert(s) in forensic psychology and psychiatry evaluate the evidence and present their opinion(s) to the court. The expert cannot make a determination of whether the mental illness rendered the individual not responsible, which is a matter for the jury. "Insanity" is a legal term, not a medical term. The words "insane" or "insanity" will never appear in a forensic expert's report except as a reason for referral. A plea of "Guilty but Insane/Mentally Ill" is also permitted in some jurisdictions, including California. In this case, the defendant would be remanded to a treatment facility when a bed eventually becomes available if the experts concur with the Mentally Ill status.

I will be pleased to be corrected and updated by folks who know better than I.

Dr Pam

[Dixon]

I have mixed feelings about the whole system of prosecution vs. defense that requires both sides to do their absolute utmost to put a winning spin on the evidence, whatever their personal beliefs.

You and me both, Conrad! All my life people have been telling me I should be a trial lawyer (or on a debate team). But those positions require closedmindedly pursuing one's goal of "winning" the argument. As a committed rationalist, I have to be free to say "By golly, you're right! You've made a compelling argument and shown me that my client is, in fact, guilty. Thanks for correcting me!" Imagine how brief my career as a trial lawyer would be, LOL!

[Malene Rander Comes]

To the best of my knowledge, and I am by no means very knowledgeable about legal stuff, the DA has to represent the people. This means they are only allowed to prosecute if the genuinely believe a crime has been committed. In cases where a person is obviously mentally ill the prosecutor can choose a joint recommendation with the defense attorney to push for treatment. That would be equal to the prosecutor saying "A crime was committed, but I recognize this is a mentally ill person who could do no better".

That would then go to the judge who could still demand a full trial, or who could agree and the case would proceed to "sentencing", which would consist of x amount of treatment, no option to be let out without it being court ordered.

That is just to the best of my knowledge though. One reason the insanity plea is often not used is because the hospitals are often not kind or healing places to be, and a commitment to a mental health ward is until the judge is convinced you are better, which might be never. In this case, the hospital is marginally preferable to prison, especially cause the prison sentence would be so long. Best case scenario this young man gets his disease under control and starts the process to petition for release in 5-10 years. I actually know of one such California case. The woman got out of the hospital after 7 years.
Malene

>>>This is my letter to Jill Ravitch. It is a little more edgy, and less kind. There is nothing wrong with constructive anger on occasion.

I'm missing some knowledge here. How does the district attorney arrive at a decision not to prosecute a crime?

[Malene Rander Comes]

You actually could then be a prosecutor. According to the statutes the prosecutors have to be convinced that a crime was committed, and they have to be convinced they can win the case. If at any time in the case the prosecutor is not convinced that the defendant is guilty then they have to change course. And if the defendant is too insane to be in control of their actions that counts as "not-guilty by reason of insanity"

Which is why Ms. Ravitch has another option - if she is convinced that this young man is mentally ill, then she would "lose" the case due to his insanity. If she is convinced of that then she can't continue the case, but should make a joint recommendation for treatment.

Of course, in reality, ego enters the booth, and it becomes about winning. And that is why we are all writing to Ms. Ravitch to tell her to do the right thing. The difficulty here is that Ms. Ravitch has clearly committed to a path, and it is that much harder for her to change course. We should all remember her lack of integrity come election day!

Malene

You and me both, Conrad! All my life people have been telling me I should be a trial lawyer (or on a debate team). But those positions require closedmindedly pursuing one's goal of "winning" the argument. As a committed rationalist, I have to be free to say "By golly, you're right! You've made a compelling argument and shown me that my client is, in fact, guilty. Thanks for correcting me!" Imagine how brief my career as a trial lawyer would be, LOL!

[Peace Voyager]

Of course, in reality, ego enters the booth, and it becomes about winning. And that is why we are all writing to Ms. Ravitch to tell her to do the right thing. The difficulty here is that Ms. Ravitch has clearly committed to a path, and it is that much harder for her to change course. We should all remember her lack of integrity come election day!

Malene

After the outcome in this case and mine, let me say, we don't have to wait until election day to take action; DA's can be recalled and disbarred.

Please see the additional information I posted today and previously on Wacco related to the DA's office.

It all matters; but no matter how the deck is stacked against us by well connected players; if enough of us unite in our efforts, the criminals running our county and justice system, along with the well protected profiteering law breakers; can be brought to justice themselves.

www.waccobb.net/forums/showthread.php?97567-Apple-Blossom-School-now-will-be-Wine-Grape-School-!!!-!!&p=165992&posted=1#post165992

[Malene Rander Comes]

Hey Colleen,

First of all, I am so, so sorry for what you and your daughter went through. Such horror defies description, and I completely understand and even applaud your anger against Ravitch. I volunteered for the Santa Rosa rape crisis line for 3 years, so I really do get it.

You posting the story, and me or others reading it makes a difference. We will remember ravitch's cruel actions. You are beating a drum for "something" more. I too am currently beating a drum for help with a worthy cause. A cause that killed 300,000 people last year and will kill 300,000 people again this year. See my post. https://www.waccobb.net/forums/showt...918#post165918

Here is something I have found. We are all overloaded right now. The first thing I think when I see your drum is: "I can't do any more activism right now, I am overloaded". We are all just human in how much we can handle. So, I know when people aren't able to help me with my cause it is the same overload. I have found that making it relatively easy to get involved helps. This means, you have to do the heavy lifting for your cause. Giving people specific things to do, and then showing them where and how to do it helps tremendously. Giving people various levels of involvement also helps. Some people do not want to be hugely involved, others are more touched by your cause and wants to really get in to it. Examples of small ways to get involved are:

• Send a letter - you can even write the template and ask people to send it. At the very least provide the email address and tell people what they are advocating for.
• Forward your cause on facebook.

These two are small and fast involvements, and they are specific. People can say "Yes", do it and move on with their lives.

You can ask for larger involvements as well, but make sure they are specific, and do not take people's overwhelm personally. There will of course be fewer people who want to be more involved. It is natural.

If you want to truly advocate for a cause, then you need to drive the involvement. We are all overloaded, and you can't expect others to get involved with something non-specific, or take leadership for you. If you dont want the leadership, then how can you expect others to take it?

Do you want me to sign something to remove ravitch? I would be happy to - show me where. (BTW, you can set up free petitions to sign online). Those petitions can be promoted on facebook, twitter, craigslist and here. Do you want me to write something about ravitch being bad for us? Direct me please. Those are two fast ways I am willing to be involved. I am not at this time able to do much more than that, but I bet there will be some who are - if they had a leader.

Here are some other ideas - Do you have proof that ravitch is systematically acting corrupt? Compile it - all of it and then contact every single local reporter you can think of. PD, Boho, SC Gazette, Radio shows etc. Make it easy for them to access the information. Contact multiple reporters.

I just had another idea for you. If you have proof that ravitch should be disbarred, I would collect the proof and then send it to the bar association. Then take up an online petition, and make certain that the bar association sees the petition as more people sign it. This would put some pressure the right places. Another way you can ask others for involvement is to get help with reviewing your proof against ravitch to make certain it will carry the biggest impact.

Good Luck!
Malene

After the outcome in this case and mine, let me say, we don't have to wait until election day to take action; DA's can be recalled and disbarred.

[rossmen]

compare this case to the lady who stabbed her mother. criminal prosecution way before trial was halted for her by a judge and she is going to a mental hospital. ravitch could have let the same thing happen in this case with three docs determining mental illness. instead she got a forth evaluation so she could put it before a jury. the jury gets to decide now. what is ravitches motivation for pushing this one?

>>>This is my letter to Jill Ravitch. It is a little more edgy, and less kind. There is nothing wrong with constructive anger on occasion.

I'm missing some knowledge here. How does the district attorney arrive at a decision not to prosecute a crime? If a person has been stabbed to death, does the DA have the authority to make the determination, prior to an indictment, that the confessed perpetrator is innocent? I would think that's a decision of the jury. There's generally a huge outcry — and often rightly so — if a DA fails to bring an indictment, for example, against a police officer who shoots an unarmed man, or as happened in Florida when someone claims self-defense.

As I've understood it, this jury makes the determination of guilt, and if guilty, another jury determines the question of insanity. Am I mistaken?

My personal opinion is that indeed the young man is schizophrenic and should receive care.

I have mixed feelings about the whole system of prosecution vs. defense that requires both sides to do their absolute utmost to put a winning spin on the evidence, whatever their personal beliefs. But given that we have a government office with a prosecutorial function, I don't understand how Ms. Ravitch can do otherwise than prosecute. I'm asking to be informed.

Peace & joy—
Conrad

[lindasw]

Jill Ravitch posted this on her facebook page today...
Here is her posting and my response:

Jill Ravitch

Tonite I stood behind a fellow at the market who corrected the clerk when she only charged him for the two donuts in the bag - he said there was one more but he'd eaten it while shopping. She laughed and told him he could have gotten by without paying, and he told her then he'd be thinking about it all night. Best part was his son was standing next to him and heard all of this. Yet another example of why I'm so proud to be a member of this wonderful community.

Linda Lou that's great jill...likewise, we ravitch voters would be extremely proud of you if you would do the right thing for the mentally ill in this community, drop your dog-with-a- bone attitude and send houston herzog into a mental health facility where he belongs instead of a jail cell where he doesn't belong for the rest of his life...just sayin'....we expect more from you ...don't be another mindless passalacqua clone...

[Dixon]

compare this case to the lady who stabbed her mother. criminal prosecution way before trial was halted for her by a judge and she is going to a mental hospital.

One factor is that people in general are a lot more comfortable with executing or imprisoning men than women. Years ago at SSU I saw a documentary about women who murder. The directors, a man and a woman, were there to discuss the film. (Sorry, I don't recall the name of the film or of the directors.) They said that, surprisingly, 1 out of 7 murders in this country are committed by women (and very few of them are the justifiable kind where the woman kills her abuser as an act of self-defense). But the proportion of women amongst death row inmates is way less than 1 in 7; the vast majority of female murderers escape the death penalty. When I asked the directors why, their answer was simple: sexism.

[podfish]

the vast majority of female murderers escape the death penalty. When I asked the directors why, their answer was simple: sexism.

where's Joe Manthey when you need him?

[Peace Voyager]

compare this case to the lady who stabbed her mother. criminal prosecution way before trial was halted for her by a judge and she is going to a mental hospital. ravitch could have let the same thing happen in this case with three docs determining mental illness. instead she got a forth evaluation so she could put it before a jury. the jury gets to decide now. what is ravitches motivation for pushing this one?

Yeah the PD had both stories on the same page recently. Hard to miss the irony of the Editor that day, and no comparison by the reporters either.

I think in my case, it was both a personal and political bias; as well as, protection for some very dirty insiders. Democrats, even so-called progressive ones, can be rather ruthless when you challenge them from within the party.

Is there anyone here up to speed with the recall process?

[rossmen]

sexism is one of my guesses too. also i think that the severity of illness plays a part. houston was sane enough to call for a lawyer when the interrogation got to his action. the woman parent killer is reported to be totally out of it, talking to herself in court. perhaps the da doesn't think that people who remember their rights are insane? my own experience with the criminal justice system is that if you push for justice you will be targeted for more severe penalties. if you can persevere through the harassment, then there is a good chance for a reasonable outcome. the reality is that houston will probably be locked up longer at our expense, though he is probably more capable of living a normal life given his shorter history of trouble and greater awareness of others.

One factor is that people in general are a lot more comfortable with executing or imprisoning men than women. Years ago at SSU I saw a documentary about women who murder. The directors, a man and a woman, were there to discuss the film. (Sorry, I don't recall the name of the film or of the directors.) They said that, surprisingly, 1 out of 7 murders in this country are committed by women (and very few of them are the justifiable kind where the woman kills her abuser as an act of self-defense). But the proportion of women amongst death row inmates is way less than 1 in 7; the vast majority of female murderers escape the death penalty. When I asked the directors why, their answer was simple: sexism.

[oliviathunderkitty]

I don't think sexism quite nails it, which is to say I think it has more to do with society's negative attitudes towards women than towards men. Misogyny includes patronizing and paternalistic attitudes towards women. Thus, women, being inferior, cannot be held accountable in the same way as men are. I think this is largely an unconscious attitude, a complicated one and a pervasive one.

One factor is that people in general are a lot more comfortable with executing or imprisoning men than women. Years ago at SSU I saw a documentary about women who murder. The directors, a man and a woman, were there to discuss the film. (Sorry, I don't recall the name of the film or of the directors.) They said that, surprisingly, 1 out of 7 murders in this country are committed by women (and very few of them are the justifiable kind where the woman kills her abuser as an act of self-defense). But the proportion of women amongst death row inmates is way less than 1 in 7; the vast majority of female murderers escape the death penalty. When I asked the directors why, their answer was simple: sexism.

[Dixon]

I don't think sexism quite nails it, which is to say I think it has more to do with society's negative attitudes towards women than towards men. Misogyny includes patronizing and paternalistic attitudes towards women. Thus, women, being inferior, cannot be held accountable in the same way as men are. I think this is largely an unconscious attitude, a complicated one and a pervasive one.

I think both dynamics could be in play, and they both fall under the category of sexism. Also, there are good evolutionary reasons why we tend to be more protective of women than men, having to do with the greater importance of an individual woman than any individual man in assuring the procreation of the tribe/species (because of how sexual reproduction works--I won't belabor the details here.) Of course, it's still sexism, and we can still try to get past it.

[Peace Voyager]

My goes out to you Marilyn.

I pray the next round of this trial brings your son, and our community the kind of justice we all deserve.

How we treat and prevent mental illness must be overhauled.

Peace,

Colleen

[mamaj]

She so far is doing the same as Passalaqwa and Mullens NOTHING!

Jill Ravitch posted this on her facebook page today...
Here is her posting and my response:

Jill Ravitch

Tonite I stood behind a fellow at the market who corrected the clerk when she only charged him for the two donuts in the bag - he said there was one more but he'd eaten it while shopping. She laughed and told him he could have gotten by without paying, and he told her then he'd be thinking about it all night. Best part was his son was standing next to him and heard all of this. Yet another example of why I'm so proud to be a member of this wonderful community.

Linda Lou that's great jill...likewise, we ravitch voters would be extremely proud of you if you would do the right thing for the mentally ill in this community, drop your dog-with-a- bone attitude and send houston herzog into a mental health facility where he belongs instead of a jail cell where he doesn't belong for the rest of his life...just sayin'....we expect more from you ...don't be another mindless passalacqua clone...