Man Accused In Pittsburgh Police Shooting Claims Illness Posted: 5:13 pm EDT June 15, 2009http://www.wpxi.com/news/19760188/detail.html PITTSBURGH -- The man charged with killing three Pittsburgh police officers said Monday that he is mentally ill and is being denied social and mental health services in jail. "I have been denied a viable psychiatric treatment plan, I have been denied access to legal counsel, I have been denied access to religious services, I have been denied access to social services," Richard Poplawski told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in his first interview since his April arrest. "This is all with my behavior being very good."Poplawski, 22, said he was sedated and strapped to a table on May 8 after he pounded on a window in his cell at the Allegheny County Jail. Citing a judge's gag order, Warden Ramon Rustin would not comment on Poplawski's allegations other than to say he is under medical supervision. Poplawski is charged with shooting Pittsburgh police officers Stephen Mayhle, Paul Sciullo II and Eric Kelly on April 4.According to police, Poplawski and his mother had argument and she called 911. Poplawski laid in wait for police to arrive and then fired on them as they approached the house, authorities said. Poplawski said he would not discuss the allegations on the advice of his attorney."We're not going to delve into the events of April 4 or anything like that," Poplawski said." The reason I wanted to reach out here is because I want the community to know what an individual may be faced with if they find themselves faced with some serious charges," he said. "I want to improve my condition down here." Poplawski is charged with criminal homicide, attempted homicide and other charges. He has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in the case. Somewhere they took out the part where he's being denied commissary. This alone will effect his mental health. The meal tray is very small, he cant possible be maintaining weight or physical stamina without foods from the commissary.. Im pretty sure his parent, though the cause of this, has visited and put money on his account for him to purchase whatnots.. He should be allowed to throw the ball around in the gym aswell.. Whether or not hes the gunman,, He has not been convicted of anything, yet!!!iggy:
But this is common. Most inmates are mentally ill. Conditions are horrible and not conducive to improvement. If it were to be reported on, I believe we would find that MOST of these people who shoot their families-neighbors-a dozen cops-the doc down the street...... are probably either diagnosed already and on meds for their problems, or they are self treating. Either way, there is no procedure for dealing with mental illness in a county jail except to lock 'em in solitary , take everything away from them, and torment them. And I HATE how people will say "who cares what happens to them because they are criminals." Well, I've seen things like terminal cancer, liver failure, and diabetes cause people's minds to go hay-wire too. Should they be treated like common criminals, or sent to the doctor??? For pete's sake! Would you want to torture you aging grandma because she has altzimers??? I have a really good idea for how the system SHOULD work if anyone is interested.
that was weird.. Wonder what he really saw? they are violating Poplawski rights to legal library.. Whether or not he can understand law LOL ,, by not allowing him access to the legal library , can really be detrimental to the entire case.. There is no way he can get the death penalty when they are crashing the case with his current confinement..