Iraqi vet claims PTSD re attempted murder of 71 yr old

[medeak]

now the 71 yr old has PTSD... ER doc said victim looked like baseball bat had been used on his head

Attempted murder suspect in court
By ALI HELGOTH- Staff Writer
Friday, October 30, 2009 8:22 AM PDT



ELKO — The Spring Creek man accused of battering a 71-year-old man at a car wash in September suffers from post traumatic stress disorder after multiple tours in Iraq, he reportedly told police.

Police testified about the statement Thursday during a preliminary hearing in Elko Justice Court for John Fenton, 22. Justice of the Peace Al Kacin will determine if Fenton will be bound over to District Court to face charges that include attempted murder, robbery, battery resulting in substantial bodily harm and grand larceny auto.

Fenton was arrested Sept. 12 in George Swett’s car about a quarter- or half-mile from where Swett was found badly battered at the Buggy Bath car wash. He reportedly had blood on his clothes that police testified didn’t appear to have come from him.

http://www.elkodaily.com/articles/2009/10/30/news/local_news/doc4aeb01fb22e7e749458220.txt

[GA_ArmyVet]

1. I call bullshit, it is an excuse that should not be tolerated

I was diagnosed with Severe PSTD requiring Medication to relieve anxiety and depression. However, despite this I never lost my identity or bearing on right and wrong. Perhaps it is possible, but I find it more likely to believe he is just making an excuse for sympathy to try to get his sentence reduced.

Not all PTSD sufferers are nucking futs just waiting to go Rambo and shoot up a town. In fact most just have a problem relating to the less black and white world that we live in here. Here away from the AOR, the world is gray, right and wrong get blurred, In the AOR, there is no gray. See Bad Guy, kill bad guy. He shoots at me, I kill him..He launches rockets, We call Airstrikes...It is all very clear cut, albeit dangerous and stressful, it is very black and white, kill or be killed, live or die. Sorry, went on my own rant and got off topic.

[medeak]

2. thank you for your "rant"..

was appalled at this crime from the get go...what monster could do this? The victim is well known in small town as ran for justice of the peace. Could not explain the aberrant behavior and thought PTSD was the answer as there is no help for his condition in this small isolated town. Vets have to drive 300 miles for any help. But have a different take after your post. Thank you for your service and wishing you the best!

[Lagomorph]

3. It should not be tolerated, and it isn't.

Many is the veteran who has had to cool his heels and pay compensation to his victims.

I still check my surroundings for points of interest and threats. I know it's just the world I live in, though. Everything is different, outside my head. My major problem has been with sleep. If I don't take my meds, it's short naps in semi-consciousness or vivid nightmares. Over time it brings down my IQ to room temperature and I live in a cool climate.

The guy needs in-treatment until he's safe in the community, and some jail time to remind him it's his problem.

[GA_ArmyVet]

4. Ahh sleep..

My biggest problem too..I dont sleep..I am always on alerts, checking for threats, looking for safe havens, anything out of the ordinary that looks out of place with the surroundings...always keeping the hair on the backof my neck standing up..

Yea, it is hard. and the lack of sleep just magnifies it. Thank god for Ambien and the occasional Ativan.