My wife’s brother is a gentle soul who has battled severe mental illness for years. Recently, during a mental health crisis, he slipped out of the house late at night after missing a dose of his medication. He was uneasy, confused, and vulnerable — the kind of state where anyone, especially trained officers, should have recognized he was in need of help, not handcuffs. Instead, an encounter with multiple officers ended with him in custody. We still don’t know the full truth of what happened that night — whether he truly retaliated, or if fear, confusion, and trauma are keeping him from speaking. Since then, he has barely said a word. What we do know is what we saw when he was released:

• His face swollen
• His body covered in deep bruises
• A deep cut on his head that required stitches

No one with mental illness should ever come out of custody looking like this. He cannot defend himself or tell his story — and without help, his voice will be lost in a system that too often fails the most vulnerable. We are determined to fight for him.

This is extremely time sensitive: We need to secure funds by the end of tomorrow so the lawyer can start working on his case. His hearing is set for Tuesday, and without legal help, he faces a real risk of losing his freedom. The rest of the funds will go toward his mental health treatment, ongoing attorney fees, and related expenses to ensure he gets the care and advocacy he needs.

This is not just about one man. It’s about standing up for every vulnerable person who deserves compassion instead of violence, dignity instead of neglect. Every dollar will go toward legal fees, medical care, and the fight for justice. If you can’t donate, please share this — your voice can help carry his when he can’t speak for himself.

— Stefan