| NOTE: Dr. Schack's e-mail address is now Schak.Kathryn@mayo.edu |
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From: Jim Gottstein Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2024 2:03 AM To: schak.kate@mayo.org Cc: Jeremy.Olson@startribune.com; David Russell Subject: Betrayal of David Russell Dear
Dr. Schak: I
wrote you on May 8th asking you to get the court order authorizing you to
Electroshock Mr. Russell against his revoked (vacated) because he was concerned
you or someone else might change their mind about not shocking him against his
will. We understand David was informed around 2:00 PM yesterday, June
12th that you are going to have him electroshocked against his will on June
13th. This is a betrayal of David. David
said his questions about such things as how many times you plan to electroshock
him, what you expect to accomplish, or even why you decided to subject him to
electroshock when you had previously informed him you had decided against it
were not answered. David suspects it is because he has been telling
people about the corruption he has knowledge of. Even if David is
incorrect about the corruption, it is no justification for electroshocking
him. My guess is it is at least partially true. Psychiatrists label
people as delusional all the time when they are telling the truth. The
most recent prominent example is Alexander
Morris being put in straitjacket after the hospital not believing he was in the
Four Tops when he went in for heart problems of which he had a
history. One of my clients, Bill Bigley, was similarly testified against
as being delusional for saying there was a story in The New York Times
about him when there was. Even
if Mr. Russell is incorrect about the corruption, that is no reason to
electroshock him against his will. Contrary
to your sworn testimony to the court in order to obtain the electroshock order,
electroshock is very harmful with virtually no benefits to the patient.
See the information on the Electroshock
page of the Law Project for Psychiatric Rights (PsychRights) website. I
like to think the January
24, 2011, PsychRights letter to the Food and Drug Administration is a good
summary. 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. So,
Dr. Schak, you are going to be perpetrating torture if you allow Mr. Russell to
be electroshocked against his will. Please
have it stopped. Sincerely, Jim Gottstein (301) 987-4466 (Direct) (301) 363-9248 (Main Office) Author of The Zyprexa Papers
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