A Broken System Failed Patrick Massey – And It Could Fail Your Community Too

On March 28, 2019, our lives changed forever. Patrick Massey was brutally murdered in Grant County, Arkansas, in an attack so horrific that it defies comprehension. Yet today, six years later, we're still fighting – not just for justice for Patrick, but for a broken system that continues to put Arkansas communities at risk.

Patrick's Story

Patrick was tortured, scalped, had his fingers severed, and was set on fire. Jerry Mauldin was shot in the same attack. When law enforcement arrived, the perpetrator, Philip Reynolds, shot at them too. The charges against Reynolds detailed crimes involving "sharp force trauma, stabbing, and shooting" Patrick "multiple times" in an "especially cruel or depraved manner."

Despite being charged with Capital Murder with Aggravating Factors – crimes punishable by death or life imprisonment without parole – Reynolds was found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) under Arkansas Act 911 of 1989. This life-altering decision was based on a single doctor's opinion.

Six Years of Ongoing Trauma

For our family, the nightmare didn't end with Patrick's death. For six years, we've endured court hearings every six months. Five years of competency hearings, followed by ongoing proceedings where Reynolds petitions to be moved to less secure facilities that would allow him unsupervised access to the community.

Every six months, we're forced to relive Patrick's murder. Every six months, we have to fight to keep a dangerous individual from being released into our communities. This is the reality for victims' families under Arkansas's current law.

The Dangerous Pattern

Patrick's case isn't isolated. James Earl Lambert II was charged with attempted murder and found NGRI under Act 911. One week before his release, he violated the terms of his supervision – but was released anyway. Six months later, he killed someone.

Other Arkansas families have faced similar tragedies when individuals under Act 911 supervision committed serious crimes while living in communities that were unaware of the risks. The current system has a documented track record of failure that puts innocent lives at risk.

Critical Flaws in Arkansas Act 911

The law that was supposed to balance mental health considerations with public safety has dangerous gaps:

Single Doctor Decisions: Life-altering NGRI verdicts can be based on one doctor's opinion, despite the profound impact on community safety and victims' families.

Endless Trauma for Families: Victims' families face indefinite court hearings every six months, forced to relive their loved one's murder to oppose release or transfer to less secure facilities.

Inadequate Community Protection: The current system allows dangerous individuals to be placed in communities with minimal oversight and often no notification to neighbors.

No Consideration of Crime Severity: The same supervision applies whether someone was acquitted of writing bad checks or committing murder.

What Must Change

We're demanding comprehensive reform of Arkansas Act 911. Our communities deserve better protection, and victims' families deserve better treatment. Specifically, we need:

• Multiple Independent Psychiatric Evaluations required before any NGRI verdict

• Jury Trials Required for all NGRI determinations – decisions this consequential should not be left to a single judge

• State-Funded Therapy and Support for victims' families – if the state pays for the perpetrator's treatment, it should fund therapy for traumatized families

• Limits on Petition Frequency to prevent repeated traumatization of victims' families

• Enhanced Community Notification when individuals are placed in residential areas

• Mandatory Community Safety Risk Assessments before any placement decisions

• Graduated Supervision Based on Crime Severity – violent crimes should require longer, more intensive supervision

• Stronger Oversight and Monitoring of individuals on conditional release

Your Voice Matters

Patrick's life mattered. His death was preventable. No other family should endure what we've faced, and no community should be at risk due to an inadequate law.

We've launched a petition calling on Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Legislature to immediately reform Act 911. Your signature demands action. Your voice can help prevent future tragedies.

Sign our petition here: https://chng.it/GgTxPSYgjS

Take Action Today

1. Sign and share our petition – every signature brings us closer to reform

2. Contact your state legislators – let them know you support reforming Act 911

3. Share Patrick's story – awareness is the first step toward change

4. Follow our updates – stay informed about our progress and how you can help

In Memory of Patrick

This fight isn't just about changing a law – it's about honoring Patrick's memory by ensuring no other family faces what we've endured. It's about protecting Arkansas communities from a system that has repeatedly failed to keep dangerous individuals properly supervised.

Patrick deserved better. Arkansas families deserve better. Our communities deserve better.

Join us in demanding reform. Together, we can create the change that will protect future victims and spare other families this ongoing trauma.

This petition is organized by the Massey family in memory of Patrick Massey and in support of all Arkansas communities deserving protection under the law.

Contact your legislators today. Share this story. Demand reform. Your voice can make the difference.