For the crime of attempted suicide, a death sentence
For 20 hours Josh Levy perched on the ledge of the Monroe Street Bridge in Spokane while police negotiators tried to talk him down. They were finally successful. But as soon as he stepped off the ledge, rather than calmly and patiently getting him to medical attention, they rushed and Tasered him. He then threw himself off the bridge. He died broken on the rocks below.
The cops claim that the tasering had been pre-negotiated with Levy for him to “save face” in coming down. Given the history of the police department, I find that hard to believe. I think the face they’re trying to save is their own. They knew, from his father, that Mr. Levy had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and was recently released from a hospital. His reaction to an attack should have been easily anticipated. In his time of crisis, instead of compassion, he was met with force. He was endangering no one but himself, and now he’s dead.
Someone should be held responsible for that. I wish I could believe that will happen, but I can’t. Not here. Spokane doesn’t work that way, not for the mentally ill. Just ask Otto Zehm.
Via the Spokesman-Review
July 30th, 2007 at 11:45 pm
oh god, that’s horrible. I hat the fucking cops.
August 1st, 2007 at 7:57 am
Let’s just say that I don’t trust them much, Burrow.
August 1st, 2007 at 5:50 pm
Rest In Peace Josh…I wish it didn’t have to end this way and you will be missed more than you know. I only wish I could have helped you more. P.S. We found your favorite sweatshirt today. The black hoody you wore all the time. You left it under your bed.
August 1st, 2007 at 9:52 pm
Yeah, but I think being in houses that were raided and/or bugged simply because they were known activist houses, being tear gassed and pepper sprayed because I was peacefully protesting (I never break things or anything near that level) or followed in DC AND Eugene because I ‘looked like an activist’.
I’m slightly biased and hate them (though I know there are some good ones out there, but as a whole….)
September 3rd, 2007 at 4:44 am
Terry, I am glad that I came across your blog. My brother committed suicide in Spokane in the mid-1980s. I don’t know all the details to this day as I was out of the country when it occurred and have had a mental/spiritual block about it to this day. I have been curious what his experience was with the police in the period leading up to his death.
I am going to post a link to your post on Josh at my blog site http://spokanepoliceabuses.wordpress.com
I have a post there called “Suicide by Cop: I’d have jumped too” regarding the death of Josh.
For your poster, Burrow, I also have information on harrassment and infiltration of activist groups.
Thanks for your writings. David
September 3rd, 2007 at 7:16 pm
Welcome, Arroyoribera. I found your blog quite educational - the situation here in Spokane needs a harsh light shined upon it. Thanks for the link.
September 13th, 2007 at 11:03 pm
For my school we are debating on the topic of whether or not suicide should be a criminal offence.
We came by your site and hoping that you could spare a few words of knowledge or advice.
Thanks a lot
September 14th, 2007 at 11:14 am
Welcome, anon. I can’t give you any expert answers on the legality of suicide, but I do have strong feelings about it.
Despair to the point of self-harm is a tragic thing, beyond the sufferer’s control. I don’t believe you can criminalize it anymore than you can criminalize cancer. It is survivable for some, but for others it is fatal. It’s the same with depression.
Depression is a disease, one which is sadly under-treated in many. When it reaches the point of despair and hopelessness, some attempt to end the pain by ending their lives. Those who survive an attempt should not be threatened with prosecution. Instead, they should be comforted and reassured, and given the support they need to get into treatment for the underlying disease of depression.
I believe this is the only humane way to approach it.
September 17th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
thank you very much terry,
you really helped us with our debate.
Your very smart.
thanks
October 7th, 2007 at 11:05 am
[...] and the FBI failed in their questionable tactics in dealing with a suicidal young man, Josh Levy. The result: Josh Levy jumped to his death in front of his parents, the public, and the [...]
October 7th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
[...] Appeared Here [...]
March 6th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
[...] mention the SPD’s severely botched “intervention” in the matter of Josh Levy who jumped to his death from the Monroe Street bridge following 18 hours of being surrounded and isolated by Spokane Police [...]