thomwallacern's review
3.0
A book called "Couple Found Slain" that spends 2 chapters on the couple found slain and the remaining 200 pages on the workings of mental health facilities.
heyjude1965's review
3.0
This book, which I listened to and read, was about the mentally ill getting lost in the system. I have a family member who has been in jail without a hearing for 4 years now, because he is mentally ill and committed a crime . Not receiving any treatment. Sad.
55_sallymander's review
4.0
Couple Found Slain: After a Family Murder
By: Mikita Brottman
In 1992, Brian Bechtold a 22-year-old man brutally murdered his father and mother in their home. This is his story. He never denied his guilt. He was judged "not criminally responsible" by reason of insanity. He was eventually found to be suffering from schizophrenia. His life changed greatly after he was admitted to a maximum-security psychiatric hospital called Perkins Center.
This is Brian Bechtold's biography, starting in his young childhood with parents who were unable to be loving, caring parents to their four children. Brian's childhood was filled with abuse and neglect. There were several instances of mental health issues in their family history.
Brian Bechtold was left to rot in Perkins. There was no care or treatment being offered, the informational brochures put out by the hospital said they offered one on one instruction and classes, and rehabilitation. The inmates were usually forcibly drugged with antipsychotics and left to sit or stand in a dayroom all day and had slobber running down their faces. Classes or group therapy were rare.
Brian found himself feeling better if he was not taking the heavy drugs, The hospital personnel insisted that he needed to be on the medications so that he would heal and be able to return to society one day. Except that one day never came. Brian did everything he could to get out, not take the harsh medications, or at least be sent to a prison, where he would at least have basic human freedoms. With no success. The doctors and staff had preconceived ideas about Brian Bechtold and did not examine him or even read his charts, when they had to update his files or testify in court about his abilities or lack thereof, they would simply copy over whatever the last ten doctors had written and go on.
If Brian complained it looked like he was not cooperating in his treatment. If he refused to take medications, they saw it as a denial of his condition. All he wanted was to be treated as a human being and given a chance. He was not allowed. He instead is treated as less than a human being and has been kept in Maryland at Perkins Center for 29 years, with no end in sight.
There was no real conclusion to the book, just that Brian Bechtold exists in this state mental hospital, with no hope for the future. He has no say whatsoever in his care, is not allowed to refuse treatment. Is not allowed to move in with his sister who has said she would let him live with her and she'd look after him.
Thank you to NetGalley for the complimentary copy for which I was not required to leave a review.
By: Mikita Brottman
In 1992, Brian Bechtold a 22-year-old man brutally murdered his father and mother in their home. This is his story. He never denied his guilt. He was judged "not criminally responsible" by reason of insanity. He was eventually found to be suffering from schizophrenia. His life changed greatly after he was admitted to a maximum-security psychiatric hospital called Perkins Center.
This is Brian Bechtold's biography, starting in his young childhood with parents who were unable to be loving, caring parents to their four children. Brian's childhood was filled with abuse and neglect. There were several instances of mental health issues in their family history.
Brian Bechtold was left to rot in Perkins. There was no care or treatment being offered, the informational brochures put out by the hospital said they offered one on one instruction and classes, and rehabilitation. The inmates were usually forcibly drugged with antipsychotics and left to sit or stand in a dayroom all day and had slobber running down their faces. Classes or group therapy were rare.
Brian found himself feeling better if he was not taking the heavy drugs, The hospital personnel insisted that he needed to be on the medications so that he would heal and be able to return to society one day. Except that one day never came. Brian did everything he could to get out, not take the harsh medications, or at least be sent to a prison, where he would at least have basic human freedoms. With no success. The doctors and staff had preconceived ideas about Brian Bechtold and did not examine him or even read his charts, when they had to update his files or testify in court about his abilities or lack thereof, they would simply copy over whatever the last ten doctors had written and go on.
If Brian complained it looked like he was not cooperating in his treatment. If he refused to take medications, they saw it as a denial of his condition. All he wanted was to be treated as a human being and given a chance. He was not allowed. He instead is treated as less than a human being and has been kept in Maryland at Perkins Center for 29 years, with no end in sight.
There was no real conclusion to the book, just that Brian Bechtold exists in this state mental hospital, with no hope for the future. He has no say whatsoever in his care, is not allowed to refuse treatment. Is not allowed to move in with his sister who has said she would let him live with her and she'd look after him.
Thank you to NetGalley for the complimentary copy for which I was not required to leave a review.
giarc's review against another edition
5.0
Holy shit! This was a frustrating read. Brian, the killer, has to prove he’s sane by not showing symptoms of insanity. When not showing symptoms, it’s because he is hiding them.
Being on meds proves he’s in need of them and that he is insane. Asking to stop meds to prove he doesn’t need them is ‘denial of meds’, proving he is insane.
All of this in an abusive system that would drive many to insanity.
An indictment of the mental health care system as it is.
Being on meds proves he’s in need of them and that he is insane. Asking to stop meds to prove he doesn’t need them is ‘denial of meds’, proving he is insane.
All of this in an abusive system that would drive many to insanity.
An indictment of the mental health care system as it is.
brancrisp's review
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Usually a true crime book shows you what happened before, during and after a crime. Once a suspect is found guilty, the story usually ends. That’s where this one starts. We like to think we are making strides dealing with mental illness, but this book makes it feel like we haven’t even begun.
southernbellebooks's review against another edition
5.0
I am all kinds of here for this. It brought so much into perspective and while I think what happened was wrong, I could understand what led to Brian's mental health problems. I really appreciated the authors work on this book and I really can't wait to recommend it to others.
elisabeth1st's review
4.0
Fun facts:
Most children who murder their parents do not go on to murder other people.
Most murders are commited by men under the age of 30.
Fascinating account of the incarcination of Brian Becktold after he murdered his parents in 1992. Most of the book is about his care and treatment after the fact. True Crime readers will enjoy this!
Most children who murder their parents do not go on to murder other people.
Most murders are commited by men under the age of 30.
Fascinating account of the incarcination of Brian Becktold after he murdered his parents in 1992. Most of the book is about his care and treatment after the fact. True Crime readers will enjoy this!