Louisiana gave my husband, Craig, 25 years in prison during a documented mental health crisis — ignoring two court-appointed psychiatrists who confirmed his Bipolar I Disorder. He was sick, unstable, and in need of treatment, yet the system chose punishment over compassion. This case shows how easily mental illness can be criminalized, and why we must demand justice that listens to medical experts.

Craig was diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder years ago, and the court-appointed psychiatrists only confirmed what was already known. They documented his hospitalizations before and after the accident, confirmed he was not faking, and detailed how his illness impaired his judgment.

In the weeks before the accident, Craig had been hospitalized twice for psychiatric care. He was on prescribed medication and actively seeking help. Despite this, on the day of the accident, he was overwhelmed by paranoia and confusion — symptoms directly tied to his illness. Instead of recognizing this as a medical emergency, the state treated it as a criminal matter.

On sentencing day, Craig walked into court expecting a routine continuance. Instead, he was blindsided with a plea deal. He was in no mental state to make such a life-altering decision. His privately paid attorney told him, in that moment, that he didn’t even have a mental illness — erasing years of documented diagnoses. My children and I were never informed that sentencing would take place that day, so we were not there to stand by him.

The injustice is even more glaring when compared to similar cases. In Louisiana, I have found multiple fatal drunk driving cases where the driver received sentences between 5 and 8 years — a fraction of Craig’s 25 years. These drivers made a conscious choice to drink, get behind the wheel, and caused a death. Craig, in contrast, was experiencing a medical crisis backed by years of documented history and expert testimony.

Louisiana’s justice system had an opportunity to follow the recommendations of mental health professionals, provide treatment, and still ensure accountability. Instead, they chose the harshest possible route — one that helps no one and perpetuates stigma against those living with mental illness.

This sentence has left a permanent mark on our family. Our children have lost the daily guidance, love, and support of their father. I have been left to manage our household and advocate for justice while coping with the reality that my husband is locked away, not because he is dangerous, but because he was ill. The emotional and mental toll is immeasurable — a wound that deepens every day the system refuses to acknowledge its mistake.

This case is not an isolated tragedy — it is a warning. If a man with a clear, documented mental health diagnosis can be stripped of his rights, ignored by the courts, and given decades in prison without his family even present, it can happen to anyone. Louisiana must reform how it handles mental health crises in the justice system, ensuring medical evidence is respected and treatment prioritized over excessive punishment.

I’m calling on Louisiana officials to grant Craig immediate relief and to stop criminalizing mental illness. Justice should heal, not destroy. By signing this petition, you’re demanding mercy, fairness, and reform — not just for Craig, but for every person in Louisiana whose mental health crisis is met with punishment instead of help.

Every day this sentence stands, it sends a message that Louisiana values punishment over treatment and stigma over science. Add your name to demand a justice system that listens to medical experts and treats mental illness with compassion, not cruelty.