Newsradio 1020 KDKA Editorial: All Tragedies Point To Mental Illness

Some tragedies get tremendous public attention –

Like the massacre at Sandyhook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

Thousands of smaller tragedies occur almost daily –

And get little notice.

What they have in common is mental illness.

Someone – with some sort of mental problem –

Kills or wounds family members – friends – or total strangers.

Nearly two years ago –

Anthony Scholl Junior attacked a man on the South Side –

Slashing his throat and stabbing him several times.

Scholl has been diagnosed with schizophrenia.

At sentencing – his family – even his victim –

Begged Judge Edward Borkowski to ensure that he got treatment –

And wasn't just "warehoused" in prison.

So the judge handed down a rather unusual sentence:

Seven to fourteen years in prison –

And twenty-seven years on probation.

Criminals shouldn't get a "pass" if they have a mental illness –

But there are serious consequences if that illness isn't treated.

Judge Borkowski's sentence tries to address both problems.

There's prison time –

And a long probation to ensure Scholl continues treatment for his schizophrenia –

Once he's back in society.

Maybe that's one solution to a complex and growing problem.