Help A Struggling Vet

My name is Therese Sweeney. I’m a retired contract administrator and art manager for LAX airport.

I am a senior resident of Santa Monica, and live in an apartment across from a public park. I first met Kevin at the start of the pandemic where I shared some food with a few hungry homeless folks who spent their days there. Kevin stood out because of his infectious smile, height, his ever-present guitar, his sense of fashion, his impeccable cleanliness and good manners.

Once I came to know him, I felt a strong urge to help this man. In January 2022, I worked with Kevin and several veteran organizations to help him obtain the benefits he was eligible for. He got into a temporary shelter on the VA campus in Westwood, California. Kevin is very grateful for the housing and other care he received. He has kept all of his appointments with the VA’s health care professionals, and remains optimistic that the VA will continue to help him find permanent housing. He has a strong work ethic, and wants to find a job. Kevin is a very gentle soul. If only he could have access to safe housing! I feel that is at the core of his problems.

Things went awry at the beginning of October when the VA sent Kevin to stay in an off-campus temporary shelter for veterans, since permanent housing had not yet been found for him. He was sent to a converted hotel run by a non-profit Veterans organization. Sadly, the shelter’s staff placed Kevin in a room with a man they were about to eject for posing a danger to some of the veterans living there. They had received numerous complaints from other residents of this man’s dangerous, schizophrenic threats.

His new roommate made violent threats from the day Kevin he arrived. On the fourth morning in the shelter, Kevin made a formal complaint to the staff reporting the things the roommate had said to him, such as, “I’m going to kill you when your eyes are closed.” Sadly, the staff member who took the report failed to submit it to his supervisor! Sure enough, eight hours later while napping, Kevin was attacked with a dust pan to his throat. The roommate was very aggressive and seemed high. Kevin fought back, as he had to defend himself. There was no staff nearby to help but a resident was able to help stop the fight. When the police arrived, because the roommate lost the fight, Kevin was arrested and charged with felony assault. Even though he was defending himself and did not start the fight.

Eight weeks later Kevin remains in jail because he can’t afford the bail. He will have to remain there into January or later, pending the pre-trial and any legal motions filed on his behalf. This could take months. His Public Defender is competent but over-worked, and has been able to talk with Kevin only when he appears in court, and then only for a few short minutes at a time. He has not yet been able to gather the crucial reports from the Vets’ hotel, secure witnesses and other evidence, or consider other legal options. With a private attorney, we believe Kevin will get better representation – which will allow for a self-defense plea. This will cost upwards of $13,000 for attorney fees and bail, allowing Kevin to be free while a private attorney does the work necessary to ensure that he gets a fair trial.

Please help keep Kevin from a prison system that would further damage his growth in trying to get his life together. Kevin needs help. If he does not have proper representation he could be in prison for up to 4 years with a felony conviction.

If you find it in your heart to help another, please help him. Know that you are welcome to share this story with your friends. I have been attending the court hearings and will keep you informed of the progress. I thank you in advance!