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Legislators question policies allowing
dangerous criminal, now on the lam, to go on outing to county fair
'Situation
is outrageous, derelict,' they say
In
the wake of the breaking news yesterday about criminally insane
murderer, Phillip Arnold Paul, escaping from chaperones while on an
outing to the Spokane County Fair,
Reps.
Kirk Pearson,
Matt Shea
and
Kevin
Parker had this to say about the incident:
Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, lead Republican on the House Public
Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee:
"I
could not believe what I was reading yesterday! While the facts are
still coming to light, I question the decision-making and policies of
state agencies responsible for public safety that allowed dangerous
criminals access to locations that make escape possible, and put the
public at grave risk.
"Why in
the world would anyone take a mentally unstable individual, who
violently murdered someone and is on medication, to a location that has
large crowds, screaming kids, rides that throw off equilibrium, games
that include shot guns and throw darts, and an exhibit with mirrors that
distort bodies and frighten people? It is simply irrational.
"Reports today are telling us that the state Department of Health and
Human Services is conducting an investigation into the policies that
allow violent, insane criminals to roam around family-friendly events.
However, I lay this squarely at the feet of the governor and will be
asking her directly to address the policies and the people who put many
innocent citizens in danger. I pray Mr. Paul is apprehended soon and no
one is harmed."
Rep. Matt Shea, R-Mead:
"It’s
outrageous that security was so inept that Mr. Paul, who is officially
regarded as ‘criminally insane,’ was able to just slip away from the
group. Of more critical concern to me is the issue of why a vicious
killer with a record of horrific, violent crime, was allowed into a
family setting like the fairgrounds in the first place. You can’t come
away with any opinion other than his escape reflects the height of
official irresponsibility."
Rep. Kevin Parker, R-Spokane:
"As a
father of three small children, I do my job to protect them. It is the
state’s duty to protect its citizens as well. The fact that someone who
is mentally ill with a history of violence and trying to escape was
taken on a field trip to a county fair is deplorable. The policies of
this agency need to be examined with a fine-tooth comb."
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For more information, contact:
Bobbi Cussins, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7252
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