Maine lawmaker facing gun charges sent to psychiatric hospital

[Maine-ah]

Source: BDN

AUGUSTA, Maine — A Maine lawmaker accused of pointing a loaded gun at a man outside a Dunkin’ Donuts in Waterville has been transferred to a psychiatric hospital.

Authorities say Rep. Frederick Ladd Wintle of Garland was examined at the jail Monday. Kennebec County Sheriff Randy Liberty says that as a result of the examination, Wintle was transferred to a psychiatric facility in southern Maine.

The mental health assessment had been initiated by law enforcement officials.

“This is another step in the process in evaluating the unusual events of May 21, 2011, and it is hoped that this process will shed some light on these unfortunate events,” Wintle’s attorney, Kenneth Fredette of Newport, said in a statement Friday evening. Fredette is also a Republican state lawmaker who knows Wintle personally.

Read more: http://new.bangordailynews.com/2011/05/27/politics/maine-lawmaker-facing-gun-charges-sent-to-psychiatric-hospital/

[Old and In the Way]

1. Saw Fred on the Local news tonight at his court appearance.

Doing a lot of blinking and smiling. I think this is a good place for Fred to be right now.

[sharesunited]

2. Did his madness drive him to carrying a gun, or did carrying a gun drive him to madness?

[eShirl]

4. I don't think guns caused his increasingly bizarre behavior over the last few weeks and months.

It could just as easily have been a knife.

[Maine-ah]

6. the last five paragraphs

I hoping he is getting the help he needs. Sounds like he's had some pretty bizarre behavior,according to the article.

[roguevalley]

7. could be alzheimers.

[pipoman]

15. Alzheimers is relatively slow onset and progression dementia

this appears to be a psychiatric problem.

[TheWraith]

12. Only you could believe that a gun magically drives a person insane.

Yes shares. Guns are like Cthulu. Seeing one makes you lose your mind. :eyes:

[rfranklin]

20. Well, he is a "gun nut"

How he got that way is up for discussion.

[eShirl]

3. I would say that was a good call.

Hope he gets whatever help he needs.

[Webster Green]

5. He looks like he's crazy.

The Head of the Maine House Republicans walking with him thinks it's all pretty funny. He's probably lost his mind as well. I know the governor has. :wtf:

[MilesColtrane]

8. He's got that Loughner look.

Lights are on, but nobody's there.

I'm glad he didn't kill anybody before being forced to get help.

[AlinPA]

16. That Main House Republican "Head" seems pleased. Like it's a big joke.

"Don't worry, we'll have you back in the House in no time"

[Maine-ah]

17. you should read the last parts of the article

and you'll see what they've been dealing with at the house. They have known for a while that something wasn't right with him.

[AlinPA]

18. I read the entire article. My remark was about the House "Head".

[Maine-ah]

19. I think they're treating this situation

very seriously and you're reading too much into a picture, I guess is my point.

[AlinPA]

28. Could be.

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

23. Deleted message

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[Posteritatis]

25. Perched right below his post by the looks of it.

Stay classy!

[Snoutport]

9. Political parties need to put their best and brightest forward

not their paranoid and mentally ill. That should be a given.

[Posteritatis]

26. I really don't think anyone decided "let's find a schizophrenic and put him in the spotlight" (nt)

[Mopar151]

10. Maybe there is a lesson here

That neither sanity or sexuality are "choices". This poor guy... He's hearing coded messages from the radio in his wisdom tooth. They'll get him put right, I 'spect - but he'll find real life a little boring.

[Posteritatis]

27. Sad how many people believe otherwise for both of those

Every other thread like this you start seeing people claiming "my political opponent" is a DSM-IV category and shoving the actual illnesses to the side in order to score points.

[Mopar151]

29. The Fear Of God should straighten 'em right out!

As if it's ever worked before........

[LAGC]

11. Whoops, so much for his future gun rights.

Involuntarily committed (mentally adjudicated) means no more guns for him, at least not through any FFL dealers.

[TheWraith]

13. Technically, he can't legally own a gun anymore no matter the source.

Being adjudicated as mentally incompetent makes him ineligible to own or use a firearm no matter the source, either by dealer or private sale.

[tblue37]

14. This part is ironic:

"There is now discussion of requiring everyone going into the State House to be screened for weapons beginning next January. Support also appears to be waning for a bill that would have allowed concealed weapons permit holders to carry guns into the State House <emphasis added>."

[Po_d Mainiac]

24. Yes. But it would only screen the one building.

IIRC the adjacent Cross Building, which houses multiple hearing rooms and offices, would not be covered. Unless they run all access through a single point and block off all entrances other than the connecting tunnel, the measure would leave a huge void

Covering the Cross Building via a single screening would make a TSA screening seem like a stroll through the park.

What a friggin waste of time and money this shit is going to prove to be. There goes the fiscal responsibility argument into the toilet.

[TheCowsCameHome]

22. Does he get to take his gun with him?

He'll be lonely without it.:rofl: