From: Jim Gottstein <jim.gottstein@psychrights.org>
Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2024 10:36 PM
To: 'MHanratty@ccsomn.org' <MHanratty@ccsomn.org>
Cc: 'office@mindfreedom.org' <office@mindfreedom.org>; 'jim.gottstein@psychrights.org' <jim.gottstein@psychrights.org>
Subject: RE: David Russell

Dear Mr. Hanratty,

In re-reading your e-mail to MindFreedom I see you stated Catholic Charities "would not" petition for electroshock and I would like to explore that with you.  I am five hours behind you, but hope to speak with you tomorrow about that.

Take care,

Jim

From: Jim Gottstein [mailto:jim.gottstein@psychrights.org]
Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2024 2:00 PM
To: MHanratty@ccsomn.org
Cc: jim.gottstein@psychrights.org; office@mindfreedom.org
Subject: Re: David Russell
Importance: High

Dear Mr. Hanratty,

It was not Mr. Russell who identified Catholic Charities as the Petitioner, but I.  Mr. Russell informed me that he had not been provided a copy of the Electroshock Petition and wasn't sure who had filed it.  That surprises me because it should be legally required, but I don't know if perhaps under Minnesota law serving Catholic Charities suffices because it is David's guardian.  Mr. Russell reports his putative attorney does not provide him with information, which is consistent with my experience in other situations. 

I saw that under Minnesota Statute 524.5-313(c)(iv)(i),

no guardian may give consent for . . .  electroshock . . . unless the procedure is first approved by order of the court

and under 524.5-313(c)(iv)(ii),

a guardian who believes [Electroshock] to be necessary for the proper care of the person subject to guardianship, shall petition the court for an order, 

so I concluded, apparently incorrectly, that Catholic Charities filed the Electroshock Petition.  The MindFreedom Shield Alert for Mr. Russell states we did not know for sure if Catholic Charities filed the Electroshock and if you didn't you could deny it and inform us who did ("If Catholic Charities did not file the Forced Electroshock Petition they can deny it and if so, should be asked who did").  Your citation of the Alert omits this, which seems deliberate.

Mr. Russell may have already signed an Authorization for Release of Information directing that information be provided to me and the Law Project for Psychiatric Rights (PsychRights).

Please provide me with a copy of the Petition, or at least advise us who filed it.

The larger picture is as guardian, if you did not file the Electroshock Petition, you should vehemently oppose it and request the petitioner withdraw or dismiss the Electroshock Petition. 

You should know that the United Nations has concluded Electroshock can constitute torture in violation of International Law.  See, UN Human Rights Council. (19 June 2020). “Mental Health and Human Rights: Resolution 43/13 Adopted 19 June 2020.” A/HRC/RES/43/13. Geneva: United Nations; UN Human Rights Council. (20 Mar 2020). Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment: Report of the Special Rapporteur. A/HRC/43/49. Geneva: United Nations; Méndez, Juan E. (4 Mar 2013). “Statement By Mr. Juan E Méndez, Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, 22nd Session of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations.” Geneva: United Nations. See also the related Report of the Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Juan E. Méndez (2013), A/HRC/22/53. Geneva: United Nations.

I have spoken with David a number of times and he is terrified of being electroshocked.  His terror is warranted.  Please prevent your ward from being subjected to this barbaric intervention.

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

James B. (Jim) Gottstein, Esq.
President/CEO

Law Project for Psychiatric Rights
406 G Street, Suite 206
Anchorage, Alaska  99501  USA
(907) 274-7686 
https://psychrights.org

The Law Project for Psychiatric Rights is a public interest law firm whose mission is to mount a strategic litigation campaign against forced psychiatric drugging and electroshock.  We are further dedicated to exposing the truth about these drugs and the courts being misled into ordering people to be drugged and subjected to other brain and body damaging interventions against their will.  Due to the massive psychiatric drugging of children and youth, PsychRights has made attacking this problem a priority.  Children are virtually always forced to take these drugs because it is the adults in their lives who are making the decision.  This is a national tragedy of immense proportions.  PsychRights is seeking sufficient funding to increase its impact.  See, Getting to the Next Level.

From: "Michael Hanratty" <MHanratty@ccsomn.org>
Sent: 4/30/24 3:03 PM
To: "office@mindfreedom.org" <office@mindfreedom.org>
Subject: David Russell

An individual under our guardianship has submitted false information on your shield action page.  It is cited to “call and e-mail Ms. Dannehy and Mr. Hanratty demanding that they withdraw the petition for electroshocking David against his will.”  Catholic Charities did not petition and would not petition for electroconvulsive therapy.  We would ask that the post for the shield alert be removed immediately.  Thank you.  

Mike Hanratty, NCG

Adult Advocacy Program Director

Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota

PO Box 379, Winona MN 55987   

Phone: (507) 454-2270, Ext 233

Fax: (507) 457-3027

mhanratty@ccsomn.org

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