PTSD on Trial:Joseph Brian Odom

Veteran from Cocoa gets 5 years in prison
FLORIDA TODAY • June 8, 2009


MELBOURNE — An Afghanistan War veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder was sentenced today to five years in prison, avoiding a lengthy incarceration that resulted from an armed confrontation with police after officers said he shot at his wife.

Joseph Brian Odom, 31, of Cocoa, faced up to 35 years in prison had he gone to trial and was convicted of the three felony charges against him, aggravated assault with a firearm, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm and shooting into and occupied dwelling.

Family members said “the system failed him,” by not giving him the treatment he needs for the PTSD. They said that at the time he was on anti-depressant medication.

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Not so cut and dry is it? After you must have read the post I put up with reports going back three years addressing the fact they were handed medication and then sent on their way without help to heal. Handing them pills is just not good enough. Never has been and never will be. Why are they still doing it? When will they understand what is required to really help them heal? How many more cases of avoidable situations will place the lives of others in danger, including law enforcement, while these veterans suffer instead of being helped?