From: Jim Gottstein <jim.gottstein@psychrights.org>
Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2024 1:59 PM
To: zorn.christina@mayo.org
Cc: jim.gottstein@psychrights.org
Subject: David Russell

Dear Ms. Zorn.

 I am with the Law Project for Psychiatric Rights (PsychRights) and work with MindFreedom, International.  One of your patients, David Russell, reached out to MindFreedom at the end of April to help him avoid being electroshocked against his will by your organization, the Mayo Clinic.   MindFreedom members jumped into action, advocating against the electroshock.  This included trying to attend the hearing on the electroshock petition, but were not allowed in.  

 The court granted the electroshock petition presumably filed by Mayo after a May 6th hearing, but Mr. Russell was informed on May 8th by your assigned psychiatrist, Kate Schak, that she had decided against it.   I asked Dr. Schak on David’s behalf to have the court order vacated because Mr. Russell was concerned she or someone else might change their mind.  David’s concerns were justified because on June 12th, Dr. Schak informed David he was going to be electroshocked against his will the next day.  He was.  And the next day, even though electroshock is not normally done two days in a row.  Mr. Russell has been told Mayo is going to electroshock him against his will multiple times this week. 

 I say presumably filed by Mayo because Mr. Russell was never given a copy of the Electroshock Petition and when he signed an Authorization for Release of Information to provide me with it, it was not honored on the grounds that only his guardian can authorize it.  I have otherwise tried to obtain a copy of the Electroshock Petition without success, but I have no doubt it is untruthful and the doctor testifying in support of it did so untruthfully, knowingly or not. 

 As a lawyer, you know that not giving Mr. Russell a copy of the petition against him is a flagrant violation of Due Process.  His assigned lawyer to both the mental health and guardianship proceedings against Mr. Russell does not advocate Mr. Russell’s position, which makes them sham proceedings.

 Electroshock is not effective for more than a short time, at best, and always harmful, although the degree of harm varies.  The harm is cumulative.  See, January 24, 2011, PsychRights letter to the Food and Drug Administration and the Electroshock page on the PsychRights website.

 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.

 It is to the Mayo Clinic’s shame that it is torturing Mr. Russell by electroshocking him against his wil.  Please stop Mayo from electroshocking Mr. Russell against his will. 

 Sincerely,

 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.