CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

'Speak out for Gregory' opens conversation about police response to mental health crisis

The State Journal-Register - 5/14/2021

May 14—After two months of watching their brother recover from multiple gunshot wounds suffered during a mental health crisis where a Chatham Police officer shot him, sisters Sunshine Clemons and Shawnaci Schroeder took to social media this week to speak out for their brother, Gregory Small Jr.

"It's Mental Health Awareness Month and we really want to highlight changes that are needed in our society," said Clemons, who is the co-founder of Black Lives Matter Springfield. "We really need a mental health crisis response option other than the police."

While the sisters hope talking publicly about their family's recent experience will start productive conversations about mental health and bring awareness to how mental health crisis calls are handled, the family's primary objective is getting the aggravated assault charge brought against Small dropped.

During the March 5 incident, the siblings' mother called police just before 2 p.m. and told dispatchers Small had a knife and was harming himself and threatening others in the family home in the 1500 block of East Walnut Street, according to the Chatham Police Department and Sangamon County State's Attorney's Office.

Upon arriving at the residence, fficer Adam Hahn reported that he found Small, 30, holding a knife and attempting to harm himself.

According to police, Small did not listen when Hahn told him repeatedly to drop the knife and instead advanced toward the officer. Hahn responded by shooting Small four times.

An investigation by Illinois State Police and review by Sangamon County State's Attorney Dan Wright concluded Hahn was justified in his use of force likely to cause death or great bodily harm.

"The ISP investigation revealed that Officer Hahn responded to the scene and was confronted with a clear and present danger to himself and others when the subject advanced toward him with a knife," Wright said in a press release.

Small was taken to a local hospital with critical injuries following the shooting. He spent time in intensive care after several surgeries but has since been discharged. He is now recovering at home and still under medical care.

He is due in court later this month after Wright charged him with aggravated assault in March.

"He does not remember any of the situation, which is one of the things that we're saying about the charge," explained Clemons, who said her brother was experiencing a manic episode when Hahn responded to the call. "He's charged with assault. Part of the definition of assault is knowingly doing this. He does not know. He does not remember. He remembers waking up in the hospital."

In defining assault, Illinois law states "a person commits an assault when, without lawful authority, he or she knowingly engages in conduct which places another in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery." According to the Sangamon County State's Attorney's Office, the charge of aggravated assault was brought because the incident involved a police officer.

Wright and Chatham Police Chief Vernon Foli say they are invested in making sure Small gets treatment and recovers following his mental health crisis, rather than pursuing conviction and punishment for the incident.

"I have been in regular communication with defense counsel from the start and the objective of all involved has been to ensure Mr. Small receives wrap-around services and mental health treatment to address the root cause of his tragic encounter with law enforcement on March 5th," Wright said in a statement. "As a product of ongoing, transparent and productive coordination with defense counsel, I proposed a resolution which includes participation in the Sangamon County Mental Health Recovery Court and no record of conviction upon successful completion of that intensive treatment program."

To have Small's case sent to mental health recovery court — which includes an intensive treatment program and weekly appearances to check in on progress — he would need to enter a guilty plea, according to Wright's office. Completion of the mental health recovery court program varies, as it is dependent on a person's progress.

After reviewing the 911 call, the dashcam video, the ISP investigation and other details of the incident, Wright said he is unable to drop all charges. The charges are necessary, he said, to ensure Small gets the mental health care he needs.

Clemons and Schroeder have taken to the Black Lives Matter SPI Facebook page and a newly-created "Speak Out For Gregory" Facebook page to ask community members to email Wright and Foli about the way the incident is being handled and request the charge be dropped.

"The recovery court, I understand," Clemons said. "They want to make sure that he continues his care."

Clemons' issue is with the requirement her brother enter a guilty plea for the incident he said he does not remember.

"He does not need even a temporary criminal record," Clemons said. "That's not going to be what's best for him. That's going to affect job ability, potentially housing — some places don't rent to you if you have a criminal record. He's never had a record before. He's never been in any kind of trouble.

"I just don't see that as being justice."

More than 1,000 people have responded to Clemons and Schroeder's social media posts.

Sen. Robert Peters, D-Chicago, who chairs the Senate Black Caucus, is among those who have expressed support.

"A mental health crisis is not a crime and should not be treated as such," said Peters in an official statement. "Gregory was having a mental health crisis and was suicidal, and the situation was made worse and almost cost him his life. We need to invest in alternative responses so that this never happens again, because our responsibility is to provide treatment, not trauma."

Of CPD's 15 sworn officers — which includes Chief Foli — 10 have been through the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board's 40-hour crisis intervention training program. The one-week, voluntary program helps officers recognize and address individuals with mental illness or experiencing a mental health crisis. To take part in the program, an officer must have at least two years of experience.

While three CPD officers have not met the two-year minimum required to attend the training, two other officers have yet to attend the class.

Hahn is one of the department's three officers with less than two years of experience.

Foli said he does not understand the purpose of the two-year requirement.

"That makes no sense to me," he explained. "I don't understand that.

"That's something for you to ask state legislators to enact laws in the state of Illinois."

Still, Foli — who expressed sympathy for Small's mental health episode — maintains Hahn "did everything he could possibly do to render aid and also to protect his own life" during the call at the Small residence.

"That will be totally apparent once the dashcam video is released, along with the reports," he added.

At the request of Small's lawyer, Scott Sabin, the Sangamon County State's Attorney's Office and CPD have agreed to wait to release the video, 911 call and reports.

"The attorneys in the criminal matter have agreed that disclosure of this information would deprive the subject of a full and fair trial," CPD said in an official statement. "Based on that request, the Village is not disclosing the information at this time. The Village will release the information when it is assured that such disclosure will not deprive the subject of a fair trial."

Small's preliminary court date is set for May 27.

On Saturday, Black Lives Matter SPI is hosting a "Mental Health and Justice Awareness Rally" at 2 p.m. at the Illinois State Capitol.

"We want to do what's best for everybody involved," Foli said. "I know people may think that we're trying to hide things. But we're not.

"When it comes to mental illness, when it comes to crisis intervention, this is evolving and we'll continue to evolve it throughout the police realm."

Contact Natalie Pierre at npierre@gannett.com or on Twitter @NataliePierre_.

___

(c)2021 The State Journal-Register, Springfield, Ill.

Visit The State Journal-Register, Springfield, Ill. at www.sj-r.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.