D.C. Museum Suspect Deemed Unfit For Court

Judge: White Supremacist Accused Of Killing Guard At Holocaust Museum In No Condition To Appear In Court

(AP)  The white supremacist accused of killing a guard at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum is in no condition to appear in court, a federal judge found Monday.

After a brief private conversation with attorneys from both sides, U.S. Magistrate Judge John Facciola said at a hearing that he had determined that it would not be possible for James von Brunn to have an initial appearance in the next week, either at the courthouse or in his hospital room.

James von Brunn, 88, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of 39-year-old Stephen T. Johns, a museum security guard who was black. Authorities say von Brunn shot the guard in the chest with a vintage rifle after Johns opened the door for him.

Authorities say von Brunn was shot in the face when other museum guards returned fire. FBI officials have said that von Brunn is likely to survive.

Little else was revealed about his condition at the hearing. Prosecutor Nicole Waid said von Brunn is in critical but stable condition. She asked to approach the bench for any further discussion, and Facciola called all the attorneys up for a confidential talk.

"Obviously, he's not able to get to court," Facciola said after their discussion. He scheduled another hearing for next Monday to get an update.

Von Brunn's court-appointed attorney A.J. Kramer would not comment further about his client's condition, citing health privacy laws, but said he was able to meet with him at the hospital on Sunday.

Von Brunn's son has come out publicly against him, saying the shooting was unforgivable and he wished his father had died instead.

Erik von Brunn told ABC's "Good Morning America" that he and his father didn't like each other. The interview followed ABC's release Sunday of comments by the son that his father had long burdened their family with his white supremacist views and should have died in the attack.

"I loved my father. But what he did was unforgivable," Erik von Brunn, 32, said.

ABC played a short video of Johns' mother Jacqueline Carter reacting to Erik's statements about his father.

"I hope that in time his son will be able to forgive his dad and find some peace within his heart also," Carter said.

In response, Erik von Brunn told ABC, "Forgiveness is very difficult right now."

"You know, the only bond we had was father and son. We didn't like each other very much."

[AttentionDeficit]

blog_fever: why do you accept the concept that people are "sinners"?

[randysanders]

Erik Von Brunn is ashamed of his father, as I would be. Lucky for me, my father wasn't a White Supremacist. Erik speaks out publicly about his fathers unforgivable act, that is good for him. It is a sign that maybe his upbringing in today's world as had a good affect on him. It is hard for me to imagine what Erik would have gone through as a child. I know there was more to that story.

As for his father, while he recovers in the hospital, I hope police watch him everyday so he can have his day in court. Unfortunately for Stephen T. Johns, James Von Brunn was Judge, Jury, and Executioner.

[lloydbest1]

Posted by stn_sage at 3:09 PM : Jun 15, 2009
Posted by -Lawyers-Guns-n-Money- at 3:40 PM : Jun 15, 2009

On one hand I sort of support simply turning off the meds and medical internvention and letting nature take its course. Jimmy-boy is definitely a waste of protoplasm.
But let's consider:
1. Possible maryrdom. The brain stem brigade on the extreme right would view von Brunn's death as an act of ultimate heroism. A lot of these guys live in some altered reality and need just the impetus that von Brunn dying in action would provide to "go Cho" en masse and we would be dealing with blood spillage all over the country.
2. Among the criteria that determine the fitness of a society is the way we treat our biggest jerks. No, I don't like it either - especially if the jerkishness is motivated by values that are 180 degrees out of phase from mine. But we really should hold our noses and make an effort to keep him alive.
3. If we let this (really bad word) die, then all the hopes, fears, thought processes (if any), motivations and influences on his character die with him. Ask any expert on deviant behavior and they'll tell you they don't know any where nearly enough about extremist behavior and how to combat it. Anything they can squeeze out of von Brunn will help complete that picture and, more importantly, facilitate methods and educational programs to nip this kind of stuff early on rather than too late.

[mnbrant]

Dude you have been watching tom cruise and minority report again haven't you? There is psionic childen precogs out there fingering people for early termination. Its just make believe.

[mnbrant]

I meant no precogs out there

[barbaram99]

He did not show mercy towards that gent he killt. Now he is unfit to stand in court. Send him off to a prisom for persons with heatlt issues.

[-Lawyers-Guns-n-Money-]

Well, this makes sense! IF he's in critical condition, and can't be moved---he can't be moved!

Does ' D. C. ' have the death sentence for capital crimes?

The irony here would be---he needs to recover first, so they can sentence him to death,
and kill him! Whereas, they could accomplish that now by withholding medical treatment!

It's certainly a crazy world we live in sometimes!
Posted by stn_sage at 3:09 PM : Jun 15, 2009

The kicker is, so many Americans can't get decent health care but your and your truly's tax dollars are kicking in to give this animal life sustaining treatment. I at least hope the team overseeing his treatment is being 'conservative' with his pain meds.

[stn_sage]

Well, this makes sense! IF he's in critical condition, and can't be moved---he can't be moved!

Does ' D. C. ' have the death sentence for capital crimes?

The irony here would be---he needs to recover first, so they can sentence him to death,
and kill him! Whereas, they could accomplish that now by withholding medical treatment!

It's certainly a crazy world we live in sometimes!

[ToolMangler1]

My bible teaches that God will not forgive and unforgiving heart. He forgave us when we were yet sinners and He expects us to forgive our debtors. Food for thought.
Posted by blog_fever2 at 1:59 PM : Jun 15, 2009




I agree, I forgive him, now, just 'turn him off. Forgiven or not, there is nothing redeemable in that mind... Even GOD understands that type....


"And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient" (Romans 1:28) "

[ToolMangler1]

"D.C. Museum Suspect Deemed Unfit For Court
Judge: White Supremacist Accused Of Killing Guard At Holocaust Museum In No Condition To Appear In Court"



I agree, Do the 'just' thing and turn him off. There is nothing in his head but rancid yogurt.. It would be a favor for us and him.

[blog_fever2]

The son does not have to forgive his father. Sometimes I think that the consequences for the killer should not include forgiveness. The other person can choose to forget the scum and move on, but to forgive killers, rapists, etc is letting them off too easy.
Posted by saturn05 at 1:54 PM : Jun 15, 2009
**************************************************
I disagree. My bible teaches that God will not forgive and unforgiving heart. He forgave us when we were yet sinners and He expects us to forgive our debtors. Food for thought.

[saturn05]

The son does not have to forgive his father. Sometimes I think that the consequences for the killer should not include forgiveness. The other person can choose to forget the scum and move on, but to forgive killers, rapists, etc is letting them off too easy.

[DefendLiberty]

There are some who simply are unfit to be among us at all.

[armyoftwelve]

Ain't that a shame!