By Guy Page
Following published reports about mental illness reportedly suffered by Jason Eaton, the man charged with shooting three Palestinian men Saturday evening in Burlington, VDC has been trying to determine – so far, without success – whether State’s Attorney Sarah George has ordered a psychological evaluation for him.
Eaton pleaded innocent yesterday to three charges of attempted second-degree murder. Police say the three men were walking along North Prospect Street when Eaton stumbled down the steps of 69 North Prospect St. and, without speaking, opened fire. All three young Palestinian men were shot and injured by Eaton, police say. One faces damage to his spine and a long-term recovery.
He was arrested Sunday afternoon after federal ATF police, seeking information from neighbors, knocked on his door on Prospect Street. He answered the door, said “I’ve been waiting for you,” and repeatedly requested a lawyer – all without displaying much affect, police chief Jon Murad said at a press conference held yesterday.
People charged with violent crimes are often given a psychiatric evaluation to determine whether they are fit to stand trial. VDC inquired to George’s office this morning. The only phone number publicly listed for the Chittenden County State’s Attorney goes to a recorded message saying that messages are checked once a day. An email provided on the phone message came back as “blocked.” Both the governor’s office and the state office of state’s attorneys and sheriffs say the information should come from George’s office.
Why did he do it?
Eaton’s silence on the subject of motivation, both before and after the shooting, have at least temporarily left investigators searching for a motive.
What is clear, however, is that George has not yet officially declared a hate crime. She said so at a press conference held at noon yesterday, almost a day after Eaton’s Sunday afternoon arrest. “And although we do not yet have evidence to support that this was a hate crime enhancement, I want to be clear that there is no question that this was a hateful act.” George said (40:45 on YouTube video).
Meanwhile, a Daily Beast interview with Eaton’s mother said Eaton has struggled with depression and other mental health issues.
“Jason has had a lot of struggles in his life but he is such a kind and loving person,” Mary Reed reportedly said. “I am just shocked by the whole thing.”
Mary Reed said Eaton was “in such a good mood” at a family Thanksgiving gathering. “It was the best Thanksgiving we had in years.” Eaton has had a hard time holding down steady jobs, she said. Acquintances in the Burlington area say he most recently worked at a bank in Williston.
A review of Eaton’s LinkedIn page and personal website appear to corroborate Reed’s claim of both her son’s inability to hold a steady job, and a sense of Eaton’s mental instability – if not outright mental illness.
Religion?
Given the heightened religious tensions surrounding the Hamas invasion of Israel and Israel’s response, it was not unexpected that the second question asked in yesterday’s press conference was about Eaton’s religion. City officials said they have no information about his religious affiliations.
However, a quick perusal of his Linked In page shows that he identifies as a Unitarian-Universalist. Also, Reed reportedly told The Daily Beast that he reads the Bible and is a Christian. At least one Burlington-area Christian said he has had friendly faith-based conversations with Eaton.
Meanwhile, Gov. Scott today publicly assured the Islamic community in Vermont that “we stand behind them,” he said at a press conference today.
A pro-Palestinian vigil is scheduled to be held tonight in front of the Burlington school district offices. Also, UVM today held a forum addressing campus and community safety open to all students, faculty, and staff.
Scott today called for people to be “more civil, more understanding….to create a more sensible civilization…..I think the state’s attorney, Sarah George, said it right – whether it was a hate crime, it’s a hateful act.”
Regarding a psychiatric evaluation – “I think that’s a strategy that the prosecutor and defense lawyer will work out among themselves,” Scott said.
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Categories: Burlington, Crime, Religion
If only her words comported with her thoughts…. “We have no reason to believe the suspect is a Trump supporter.”
If Ms. George does anything, it will only be because this case has gotten national attention. Otherwise she would decide not to prosecute for lack of ________ (fill in the blank). For the life of me I do not understand how she keeps getting re-elected.
not a big fan of hate crimes as i do not think that prosecutor or defense can read a perpetrator’s mind and certainly it seems to be quite selectively used. another example of pass enough laws that they can find something to charge a person with
They’re without a doubt trying to find a way to make it fit a hate crime but I doubt it very much. Yes it’s a hateful act to just shoot some people walking down the street. But as I’ve been saying, I’d put money on mental illness as the cause. And yes he does appear to be more of a leftist which is probably also giving them fits; the way the mentally ill trans gal school shooter in Nashville just didn’t check any of their hoped for boxes.
Of course, let’s blame President Trump. A possible psychiatric evaluation? Yes, let’s put him on medications (specifically SSRI’s) that potentially enhance one’s ability to commit heinous crimes (check the statistics). Yes, life is tough and people are pushed to the limit at times, however everyone has that little inner voice that says an act isn’t right. It’s called conscience. Whatever happened to accountability? Is that only for the Trump tribe?
“And although we do not yet have evidence to support that this was a hate crime enhancement, I want to be clear that there is no question that this was a hateful act.” George said. I am sorry, but it sounds like George is speaking out of two sides of her mouth. Don’t misunderstand me, I think what happened was terrible. You don’t fight evil with evil. These three Palestinians had nothing to do with what is happening in Israel / Gaza right now. George on the other hand says there is no evidence to support a hate crime, but then (using a little symantics) calls it a hateful act. A determination she has made ‘without evidence ‘.
Scott is so disturbing. I have contacted his office multiple times to report all sorts of events in Vermont such as seniors being attacked and spit on, and white five year old children being traumatized by SEL programs. I even filed a complaint against the state equity office about the state employee who justified children experiencing emotional distress exemplified in her statement, “Don’t you think white children should feel the same pain as black children?” He doesn’t care, as none of the people I showed concern for were a minority. They were only white seniors and children.
Christine, Scott is indeed disturbing. He will say or do whatever benefits him at that moment. Devoid of principle.
Vermont’s Republican committee needs to field a pro business, pro choice, pro 2nd amendment, law & order, (Minimum sentencing guidelines for opiate tracking. Same as the black communities curtailed the crack cocaine epidemic.) candidate committed to retaining and attracting high paying jobs. Focusing on biomedical research, aerospace and defense manufacturing. Such candidate would win by a landslide.
The key to home ownership in Vermont is not more houses. Its math and science based education and SKILLED jobs that let residents reach their full potential.
That’s all fine but he/she would also need to stand up to the radical gender stuff being taught to kids.
While EVERY act of violence could be nuanced into defining hate as motivation, I have to say that I have to admire Sarah George’s restraint in not jumping on the knee-jerk hate crime bandwagon. She knows there is widespread attention on this act and knows she has a solid reputation as a Soros puppet, so I credit her for proceeding cautiously, or rather, sitting on the fence on the issue for now. She is aware that the decision will first come from the US Attorney’s office so he can use that for cover.
“And although we do not yet have evidence to support that this was a hate crime enhancement, I want to be clear that there is no question that this was a hateful act.”
Remarkable, if she just took the next logical step she could arrive at the conclusion that ALL violent crimes are “hate” crimes, thus we can eliminate this picking and choosing which violent act to punish differently! Nobody ever committed a violent crime out of love and generosity!
Poor Sarah. She must be really bummed. Hang in there, Sweety. You’ll find a way to make it happen! <3
Was this man on any medications? Did he stop using any medications?
This would be a good thing to discover, there is no scientific evidence for use of any pharmaceutical drugs for psychological reasons. They can’t to a blood test and say, this is the drug you need, and you find a cure, unlike say anti-biotics.
If you got to several different psychologists, with the same symptoms, you would get vastly different prescriptions for the same issues. This is not science.
They have been drugging our young children for decades, along with many adults, there is no teaching of truth and love, so we come up with all sorts of stupid ideas, some ideas might be crazy.
Who knows, maybe this guy just wanted to stay warm and be fed, which jail can offer.
The first narrative is still out on national news sites, so regardless, the “story” has fulfilled its mission.
Hopefully these young men can recover fully, nobody deserves to be shot walking down the street.
Neil Johnson, psychiatric drugs can, often do, induce violence. Thank you for standing up.
Just like taking a blood sample after a serious car accident where intoxication is suspected, perhaps a court should order a toxicology test after a violent crime apprehension. Big Pharma would not approve of this, however.
Don’t worry, Sarah George will fall in lockstep, with this liberal scenario as soon as she can !!!
With all the false propaganda about Israel, the Left agenda is to stifle dissent. This shooting might even be a provocateur tactic.
For clarification, Palestinian Muslims, Druse, Christians, all receive their rights in Israel. There are Palestinians in the legislature, on the Supreme Court, etc. It is in the West Bank that there are problems, as it has been the base for raids into Israel and Jordan for 75 years.
Just listening to wcax and local 22 news “readers” they are actually pushing the hate crime agenda and are totally biased towards their leftist agenda of creating chaos, anarchy and civil unrest so they can achieve their ultimate goal of pushing Martial Law on Americans for total control over Americans.
shooter is mkultra mind controlled
who are the shooters family members
My opinion of this is still the same as the other day:
https://vermontdailychronicle.com/three-palestinian-men-shot-in-burlington/
Something fishy going on here.
Why all the media hype, why all the push for something that is thousands of miles away ( when we have people here who need help and it may come out this guy was in fact on a big pharma drug and snapped.
Because of my knowledge of MK ULTRA it is possible that he was “not in control” but does not excuse what was done.
There is more to this story than we are being told or have found out.
Be careful to not fall for the garbage hype.
Because he did not kill anyone it may just be a gun grab, but because of the media coverage I pause to ponder other aspects of this incident. Including the background of the victims as well as the recent past of the perp.
Something is afoot beyond an alleged “hate crime”. Wait to see what the legislators here in VT do about this. They love knee jerk reactionary laws based on events just like this, even if found to be orchestrated.
It also could be a distraction to that newly unfettered law for detainment in NY state. News reports say it is a template for other states. That is much more of a threat that a dem shooting three guys, in the night, in the dark. Never believe what the gubment says when they show so much interest.
What are they trying to hide from We The People.
One thing is for sure, this incident has politicans and bureaucrats dancing on the head of pin attached to a grenade. It is election season. Must be very careful and in the know when speaking about which side they stand behind. There is a lot of donor money riding on their words and actions. Perhaps this is a well constructed plot to expose more than what we can imagine. Carry on!
I still say a premeditated Hateful Act has to be a Hate Crime. George says, “there is no evidence” yet calls it a Hateful Act. Is she splitting hairs, because any premeditated act, based on hate has to be a crime. Just appears to me George (even without evidence) has already determined what is. Without even the psychological evaluation. A conviction for shooting the three Palestinians guys would be an awesome feather in George’s cap. Don’t misunderstand me I think what happened was terrible ! Let’s say it again, it was terrible and should have never happened !
But what is the motivation for George, who generally likes to let criminals go free. Who has no evidence, yet the act is based on hate.