Virginia legislator, former gubernatorial candidate assaulted at home

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**Dreadclaw69**

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/11/19/virginia-legislator-former-gubernatorial-candidate-assaulted-at-home/?hpt=hp_t1

(CNN) - Virginia state Sen. Creigh Deeds was hospitalized for "serious injuries" after an assault Tuesday morning at his house in Bath County, where a second individual was found dead, Virginia state police said.

Deeds was flown to the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville.

Deeds ran unsuccessfully as the Democratic nominee for governor against Republican Bob McDonnell in 2009 and as the Democratic nominee for Attorney General–also against McDonnell–in 2005. He narrowly lost the latter race in a recount.

McDonnell released a statement calling the news "heartbreaking."

"In this tough and sad time, our thoughts and prayers are with the Deeds family. The news from this morning is utterly heartbreaking," he said. "Creigh Deeds is an exceptional and committed public servant who has always done what he believes is best for Virginia and who gives his all to public service. He cares deeply about Virginia, and the people of Virginia care deeply for him."

Governor-elect Terry McAuliffe, who was elected in this month's gubernatorial race, also released a statement.

"Dorothy and I are praying for Senator Creigh Deeds and his family in the wake of this awful tragedy," the Democrat said. "This is a truly sad day for Virginia and for the many people who know Creigh as the fine public servant and friend he is. We join people across the Commonwealth and country in wishing him a full recovery."

**jeeb_sound**

damn thats kind of crazy

**Manchu**

Appears it was his son who was found dead.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Stabbed by son, who then committed suicide:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/virginia-state-senator-creigh-deeds-critical-condition-stabbing-article-1.1521697

**Dreadclaw69**

Manchu wrote:
Appears it was his son who was found dead.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Stabbed by son, who then committed suicide:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/virginia-state-senator-creigh-deeds-critical-condition-stabbing-article-1.1521697

From that article;

Law enforcement sources are investigating what led to the violence. Just a day earlier, Gus Deeds had been evaluated under an emergency custody order by mental health professionals, Dennis Cropper, executive director of the Rockbridge County Community Services Board, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Health officials said that no psychiatric bed was available for Deeds and so he was released.

Is part of the problem with violence in our country the lack of investment in mental health?

**Easy E**

Dreadclaw69 wrote:
Is part of the problem with violence in our country the lack of investment in mental health?

Yes.

**whembly**

Dreadclaw69 wrote:

Is part of the problem with violence in our country the lack of investment in mental health?

It's an issue... yeah. But, I don't think it's as an epidemic as some would make it to be.

**jeeb_sound**

whembly wrote:
Dreadclaw69 wrote:

Is part of the problem with violence in our country the lack of investment in mental health?

It's an issue... yeah. But, I don't think it's as an epidemic as some would make it to be.

In the places where its bad though, its real real bad. Mental health facilites have really gone down in number in some parts of America and in those situations people have either to hope for a transfer or to be picked up by some sort of faith based care initiative which isnt always a given, I remember once learning about the closures in Pennsylvania during the 80s and 90s where as many as half of the patients had to be discharged to the public to halfway homes work programs and possible family members. rough stuff

**Breotan**

Can't really force people into treatment before they commit a crime, either. Something about civil rights violations and all that. Even if one city were to do things solely on the up and up, there would be others who would begin abusing it for the same reasons any other social service program is abused by governments - idealism.

**Dreadclaw69**

Breotan wrote:
Can't really force people into treatment before they commit a crime, either. Something about civil rights violations and all that. Even if one city were to do things solely on the up and up, there would be others who would begin abusing it for the same reasons any other social service program is abused by governments - idealism.

Even if that person represents a clear and identifiable risk? What about Court ordered treatment?