DNA trail led cops to unlikely bike theft suspect

[Zen]

Wow. just wow.

We make potential adopters leave their drivers license when they take a dog out for a test walk

[MM_QFC!]

This is, understandably, an active topic of discussion on Seattle area boards...and many wonder, as I do, why a facility supposedly specializing in treating psychiatric illness would allow a patient - especially one who has recently made several known attempts to take his own life and who is in BIGtime professional and legal trouble - to be alone with the means to hurt himself? He hung himself with a belt??? Come-on people??!!!

[MM_QFC!]

Wow. just wow.

We make potential adopters leave their drivers license when they take a dog out for a test walk

Yep, it seems that they've unfortunately learned to not be so trusting...

..."We assume better of people. Now, I don't care if it's my brother. It's 'Sign here, give me the driver's license and credit card.' "

[Running Mommy]

HOLY SMOKES!!!

And yeah, WHY would the hospital let him have a BELT??!! OY! They let him take the easy way out by killing himself...
Of course there is the upside of the tax payers not having to pay for the trial and housing him in jail...

[mimitabby]

and he won't be stealing any more bikes!

[Dianyla]

and he won't be stealing any more bikes!

I have to admit, this was my first thought.

[Beane]

It's unbelievable that a psych hospital would allow anyone on a unit with suicidal patients to have a belt.

We've always had to leave driver's licenses when test riding (even crappy bikes).

the whole story is pretty strange..

[IFjane]

HOLY SMOKES!!!

Of course there is the upside of the tax payers not having to pay for the trial and housing him in jail...

The thinning of the herd....

[MM_QFC!]

I think that I also assumed that he was left alone, and with a belt, since the report says he hanged himself, but I do not know for sure that it was with a belt. At any rate, if he had tried on 2 other (known) occasions to kill himself, and was an in-patient in a psychiatric facility, wouldn't it be a given to assume that he was on some sort of suicide-watch and that such a facility would have a staff trained in suicide prevention procedures? Like, he wouldn't be left alone or with any item that he could use to hang or harm himself? If I was someone who knew a current patient at that place, I'd be telling them to transfer ASAP!

Also, I have to distance myself from some of the comments here, in respectfully disagreeing, while still cherishing our diversity of opinions and feelings on TE. Yes, I sure would be outraged and hopping mad if he had stolen one of my bikes, however I can't equate a human life ending with some sort of short cut to justice. He was a sick, sick guy, for sure and his professional and personal life were in ruins with all of those felony convictions pending, however I see it as more of a human tragedy and, per my comments above here, really have strong feelings about the lack of professional care and vigilance he received at a so-called specialized facility with "trained staff"...whew! Not said to upset anyone or ignite any controversy or angry responses...just sharing my $.02, as that's what we should all feel comfortable doing in this forum, ok?

[mimitabby]

no, Mary; you're right. I was being callous in an attempt to be funny. I surely didn't wish him dead.

[MM_QFC!]

no, Mary; you're right. I was being callous in an attempt to be funny. I surely didn't wish him dead.

oh, I know that f'sure, Mimi...and my native New Yorker sarcasm is always at the ready, so I have been known to say similar things...am glad for the opportunity to say what I feel here though and appreciate your response.
Thanks! (and hi to RD the yummy pie man too!)

[Trek420]

I've not quite forgotten the feeling of going downstairs for a much needed ride (at the time my Dad was very ill, died shortly after, my "partner" of 11 years had just dumped me) ... and finding my bike gone.

So I hate bike crooks with a passion. There's no telling at the time what I would have done had I encountered the perp Maybe I would have behaved (called cops) as there's no TE access in prison

But this is someones son, family. It's tragic, really. He did not deserve this.