United States Special Forces Disabled Officer with PTSD Sentenced to 60 Months (5 Years) in Jail Regardless of Being Free for Two Years and Aiding Others
TACOMA, Wash., Oct. 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Puget Regulation Group Companion, Jared Ausserer, introduced the agency could be interesting the three responsible verdicts (of seven changers) within the State of Washington v. Army Special Forces Officer (SPO) Colonel Owen Ray. Colonel Ray is a adorned veteran Army Special Forces officer with 25 years of service together with serving because the Navy Aide for President Barack Obama.
“We thank the jury and the Courtroom for his or her laborious work, consideration, and for the a number of not-guilty verdicts for Colonel Owen Ray. Nonetheless, Colonel Ray doesn’t agree with the responsible verdicts and shall be interesting all convictions,” acknowledged Ausserer. “It was clear, primarily based on our dialogue with the jury afterwards, there was a misunderstanding and misapplication of the legislation. That, together with a number of points, shall be challenged on enchantment.”
Colonel Ray was charged with kidnapping within the first diploma, two counts of assault within the second diploma, three counts of harassment, and reckless endangerment. The Courtroom dismissed a depend of assault within the second-degree mid-trial, the jury discovered Colonel Ray not responsible of kidnapping and two counts of harassment. The jury discovered Colonel Ray responsible of 1 depend of assault within the second diploma, one depend of harassment, and reckless endangerment. The fees stem from the late night of December 26, 2020, when Colonel Ray suffered an emotional and psychological breakdown from the cumulative impacts of untreated psychological and bodily well being points, operational and profession stress throughout eight deployments, high-pressure jobs, and extreme relationship misery resulted in a state of full psychological exhaustion.
Intent on self-harm-suicide, Colonel Ray had a handgun when his spouse referred to as 911. He holstered his weapon and proceeded upstairs. Triggered by the overwhelming police response that surrounded his home, Colonel Ray kicked in a door at which era the door allegedly hit his spouse – the one bodily damage stemming from the occasion. The occasion led to a standoff with native police however ended peaceably. Regardless of the absence of lack of life, Colonel Ray was sentenced to 60 months (5 years) behind bars immediately.
The US Army evaluated all facets of the incident and concluded that there could be no fees in opposition to Colonel Ray and he was honorably discharged. Colonel Ray was discovered to be 100% completely disabled by the Division of Veterans Affairs for the severity of his service-connected well being situations, together with power and extreme Publish Traumatic Stress Dysfunction (PTSD), a Traumatic Mind Harm (TBI), melancholy, Whereas on bail for 20 months Colonel Ray diligently addressed his cumulative price of many years of battle. He has accomplished inpatient remedy applications complete inpatient and outpatient remedy to deal with well being challenges.
Whereas Colonel Ray is heartbroken by his uncharacteristic conduct and acknowledges accountability for the actions, video and 911 transcript proof, proved his intent was solely to hurt himself and nobody aside from himself.
“There are not any phrases that adequately clarify how sorry I’m for any concern that my youngsters and spouse felt the night I made a decision to finish my life. I deeply remorse any unintended bodily hurt that my spouse encountered resulting from me kicking the door. I by no means meant to harm anybody aside from myself,” Colonel Ray acknowledged. “For the final two years I’ve labored, in full compliance with the courtroom and authorized system, and sought medical remedy to heal mentally and bodily. I’ve religion that the night time I made a decision to stay verses ending my life will result in restoration and hope – not only for myself however for my household and others.”
Colonel Ray has been advocating for psychological well being reform within the Armed Forces, together with recognizing the problems surrounding our troopers and the pressures this nation locations on them. Previous to his sentencing he was talking and writing on psychological well being consciousness and help. A part of Colonel Ray’s therapeutic journey has been to assist others by launching the Restore and Repurpose web site www.owenray.com.
SOURCE Jared Ausserer, Puget Regulation Group
