Saco man who killed family, self, had stopped taking antidepressants when he lost his insurance

[jpak]

http://bangordailynews.com/2014/11/18/news/portland/saco-man-who-killed-family-self-had-stopped-taking-antidepressants-because-he-lost-his-insurance/

SACO, Maine — In the 13 months before police say he murdered his family and then killed himself, Joel Smith repeatedly visited doctors seeking help for stress and anxiety, but stopped taking prescribed medication because he lost his insurance, according to documents released this week by the state medical examiner’s office.

The night of July 26, police say Smith, 33, shot his wife, 35-year-old Heather Smith, 12-year-old stepson Jason Montez, and biological children Noah Montez, 7, and Lily Smith, 4, with a shotgun before turning the weapon on himself in the family’s Saco apartment.

On Monday, the medical examiner’s office released its reports on all five individuals in response to a Freedom of Access Act request filed by the Bangor Daily News in August.

According to an account by Saco police officer Megan Tibbetts that accompanied the reports, Joel Smith was angry at his wife for staying out until 10:30 p.m. on the night in question, drinking with neighbors in the Water Street apartment complex where they lived.

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[Blue_Tires]

1. All I can say is I know his feeling...

[renate]

7. I'm so sorry....

Can you talk to somebody? Call a crisis line? Don't suffer alone... there are people waiting to listen and help.

[Blue_Tires]

8. Luckily, things are fine now

I meant I've had times in the past when I didn't have a job or money for prescriptions...It doesn't take long for things to spiral out of control...

[cali]

10. I've been there too-

I don't even want to think about it, let alone go into it, but I never ever thought of killing anyone.

[DesMoinesDem]

13. All your Greenwald and Snowden smears suddenly make sense.

[Blue_Tires]

14. If you wish to address my criticisms of Edward Snowden and Glenn Greenwald

I would appreciate it in the future if you did it in one of the numerous threads about that topic...

I don't know if you're trying to make an off-color joke, but your attempt to make a little 'connection' between what I have repeatedly and indisputably documented as valid criticisms and my mental health crosses a line, if I may be so bold...Please have the strength in your convictions to debate my arguments and not my personal issues...

I believe you to be a generally decent poster on DU, so I'll give you a mulligan for this light transgression...

[cali]

2. I have no sympathy whatsoever for him

he murdered his wife and children when he could have just killed himself. selfish bastard.

[Blue_Tires]

9. I don't know the specifics of his mental health diagnosis

but I will say that if the meds were the difference between keeping his mind right versus completely flying off the handle, then I've got sympathy for him...

[raccoon]

3. Withdrawal from some antidepressants is horrendous. nt

[shenmue]

5. It certainly is.

I know from experience. I usually remember to go get my prescriptions renewed on time, but every once in a while, I slip up... and it is not fun when that happens.

[HereSince1628]

12. Yes, but that doesn't seem to be the issue...he had stopped months before

It seems that there were multiple issues that would have been exacerbating for a difficult life

[NCTraveler]

4. Insurance companies have for too much control over our lives.

It is literally a life and death situation between many citizens and insurance companies. Not just the story here. Under our current and extremely flawed healthcare system it is a hurdle that must be jumped if one wants healthcare.

[Blue_Tires]

15. +1

Nevermind the fact that health insurance regularly keeps people in jobs they hate

[Brickbat]

6. Thank goodness his employer and insurance company were the ones to get between him and his doctor.

Just think of what might have happened if it had been a government provider, or something.

[Sancho]

11. Yet another case that should never happen...

People Control, Not Gun Control

This is my generic response to gun threads where people are shot and killed by the dumb or criminal possession of guns. For the record, I grew up in the South and on military bases. I was taught about firearms as a child, and I grew up hunting, was a member of the NRA, and I still own guns. In the 70’s, I dropped out of the NRA because they become more radical and less interested in safety and training. Some personal experiences where people I know were involved in shootings caused me to realize that anyone could obtain and posses a gun no matter how illogical it was for them to have a gun. Also, easy access to more powerful guns, guns in the hands of children, and guns that weren’t secured are out of control in our society. As such, here’s what I now think ought to be the requirements to possess a gun. I’m not debating the legal language, I just think it’s the reasonable way to stop the shootings. Notice, none of this restricts the type of guns sold. This is aimed at the people who shoot others, because it’s clear that they should never have had a gun.

1.) Anyone in possession of a gun (whether they own it or not) should have a regularly renewed license. If you want to call it a permit, certificate, or something else that's fine.
2.) To get a license, you should have a background check, and be examined by a professional for emotional and mental stability appropriate for gun possession. It might be appropriate to require that examination to be accompanied by references from family, friends, employers, etc. This check is not to subject you to a mental health diagnosis, just check on your superficial and apparent gun-worthyness.
3.) To get the license, you should be required to take a safety course and pass a test appropriate to the type of gun you want to use.
4.) To get a license, you should be over 21. Under 21, you could only use a gun under direct supervision of a licensed person and after obtaining a learner’s license. Your license might be restricted if you have children or criminals or other unsafe people living in your home. (If you want to argue 18 or 25 or some other age, fine. 21 makes sense to me.)
5.) If you possess a gun, you would have to carry a liability insurance policy specifically for gun ownership - and likely you would have to provide proof of appropriate storage, security, and whatever statistical reasons that emerge that would drive the costs and ability to get insurance.
6.) You could not purchase a gun or ammunition without a license, and purchases would have a waiting period.
7.) If you possess a gun without a license, you go to jail, the gun is impounded, and a judge will have to let you go (just like a DUI).
8.) No one should carry an unsecured gun (except in a locked case, unloaded) when outside of home. Guns should be secure when transporting to a shooting event without demonstrating a special need. Their license should indicate training and special circumstances beyond recreational shooting (security guard, etc.).
9.) If you buy, sell, give away, or inherit a gun, your license information should be recorded.
10.) If you accidentally discharge your gun, commit a crime, get referred by a mental health professional, are served a restraining order, etc., you should lose your license and guns until reinstated by a serious relicensing process.

Most of you know that a license is no big deal. Besides a driver’s license you need a license to fish, rent scuba equipment, operate a boat, or many other activities. I realize these differ by state, but that is not a reason to let anyone without a bit of sense pack a semiautomatic weapon in public, on the roads, and in schools. I think we need to make it much harder for some people to have guns.