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Historically, it was common for people with mental illness to be incarcerated. Many would agree that we are repeating history, with one major difference: people with mental illnesses were not shot by the police like they are today. In this way, people with mental illness, particularly those with severe mental illnesses, may be experiencing circumstances worse than at any time in modern history.
A woefully inadequate mental care system has led to an increasing number of police responding to psychiatric crisis calls. Police as crisis responders have been the dominant model for 30 years and the results have been deadly.
kwingert@messengernews.net
DAVENPORT The first-degree murder trial of a Fort Dodge man accused of attacking and killing a local pastor will continue today at the Scott County Courthouse.
Joshua Pendleton, 37, is charged with first-degree murder and first-degree robbery in the death of the Rev. Al Henderson, who was killed outside St. Paul Lutheran Church on Oct. 2, 2019. Pendleton’s trial venue was moved to Scott County by order of the court.
The first week of the trial started on April 19 with jury selection. By the end of the day, a 12-member jury, plus three alternates, were selected, though jury selection had originally been expected to take at least two days.
Defendant s mother: I tried to get my son committed | News, Sports, Jobs messengernews.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from messengernews.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
Fort Dodge Police Department Sgt. Evan Thompson points toward bruising he observed on defendant Josh Pendletonâs face the night he was arrested for assaulting and killing the Rev. Al Henderson. Thompson testified in Pendletonâs jury trial on Wednesday morning. -Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
First Assistant Webster County Attorney Ryan Baldridge holds up the zip-up sweatshirt defendant Josh Pendleton was wearing when he was arrested on Oct. 2, 2019, to show the jury during FDPD Evidence Technician Brandi Webb’s testimony on Wednesday. -Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
Iowa State Associate Medical Examiner Dr. Michelle Catellier testifies about hemorrhaging found on the late Rev. Al Hendersonâs throat from his autopsy in October 2019. Catellier testified that there was hemorrhaging in the neck muscles that was consistent with strangulation.