Newsradio 1020 KDKA Editorial: All Tragedies Point To Mental Illness
Some tragedies get tremendous public attention –
Like the massacre at Sandyhook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.
Thousands of smaller tragedies occur almost daily –
And get little notice.
What they have in common is mental illness.
Someone – with some sort of mental problem –
Kills or wounds family members – friends – or total strangers.
Nearly two years ago –
Anthony Scholl Junior attacked a man on the South Side –
Slashing his throat and stabbing him several times.
Scholl has been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
At sentencing – his family – even his victim –
Begged Judge Edward Borkowski to ensure that he got treatment –
And wasn't just "warehoused" in prison.
So the judge handed down a rather unusual sentence:
Seven to fourteen years in prison –
And twenty-seven years on probation.
Criminals shouldn't get a "pass" if they have a mental illness –
But there are serious consequences if that illness isn't treated.
Judge Borkowski's sentence tries to address both problems.
There's prison time –
And a long probation to ensure Scholl continues treatment for his schizophrenia –
Once he's back in society.
Maybe that's one solution to a complex and growing problem.