Please Help Us Make a Difference

Our Ongoing Fight for Justice and Reform

Six years after we lost Patrick, our commitment to seeking truth, justice, and meaningful change remains stronger than ever. While there are significant developments in our journey that we cannot discuss publicly at this time, we want you to know that we continue moving forward with determination and purpose.

Your unwavering support has been the foundation that allows us to keep fighting—not just for Patrick, but for every family and community member who deserves to feel safe in their own neighborhood.

The Need for Legislative Reform

As we've learned more about the circumstances surrounding Patrick's death, one thing has become crystal clear: our state's laws regarding individuals acquitted by reason of mental disease or defect need urgent reform.

Arkansas Act 911 of 1989 governs how our state handles individuals found not guilty by reason of mental illness. While this law was created with good intentions, real-world experiences have shown us that it falls short of adequately protecting our communities. The current system allows dangerous individuals to be released into communities with minimal oversight and, in some cases, no notification to neighbors who have a right to know about potential risks.

But there's another cruel aspect of this law that people don't know about: every six months, there are court hearings that force victims' families to relive the trauma. For the first five years after Patrick's murder, we had to appear in court every six months for "fitness to proceed" hearings to determine if his killer was competent. Now, for the past year, every six months he can petition the court to be released from the state hospital to a less secure facility - one that would allow him unsupervised access to the community. This means that every six months, our family has had to endure court proceedings related to Patrick's killer - twelve times we've had to relive Patrick's murder and fight to keep our community safe from someone who could potentially have unsupervised community access. The emotional toll this takes on victims' families is devastating and completely unnecessary.

This isn't just about Patrick's case. Other Arkansas families have faced similar tragedies when individuals under Act 911 supervision have committed serious crimes, including murder, while living in communities that were unaware of the risks.

How You Can Help Make a Difference

We need your voices to reach our state leaders. Please take a moment to contact:

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders

• Email through: governor.arkansas.gov

• Phone: (501) 682-2345

Senator Ben Gilmore

• Email: bengilmore4ar@gmail.com

• Phone: (501) 467-5952

When you contact them, please ask for:

• Comprehensive review and reform of Act 911 of 1989

• Enhanced community notification requirements when individuals under Act 911 supervision are placed in residential areas

• Improved oversight and monitoring of individuals on conditional release

• Mandatory assessment of community safety risks before placement decisions

• Limits on how frequently individuals can petition for release or transfer to less secure facilities to prevent the repeated traumatization of victims' families

• Requirement for multiple independent psychiatric evaluations before any Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity verdict can be reached - decisions this consequential should never be based on the opinion of a single doctor or without a jury.

Your Voice Matters

Every email, every phone call, every conversation you have with others about this issue moves us closer to the changes that could prevent future tragedies. We've seen what happens when dangerous individuals slip through the cracks of an inadequate system. We cannot allow that to happen to another family.

Patrick's life mattered. His death was preventable. The lessons we've learned in the six years since must lead to real reform that protects Arkansas communities.

Thank You

To everyone who has stood with us, shared our posts,and refused to let Patrick's story be forgotten—thank you. Your support sustains us through the most difficult moments and gives us hope that meaningful change is possible.

We will continue sharing Patrick's story and fighting for the reforms our communities deserve. There is still much more truth to tell, and we will tell it when the time is right.

In Patrick's memory, for community safety, and for justice.