[Vision2020] Moscow man dies of starvation in squalor under alleged care of Moscow couple

Thu Jul 24 10:04:09 PDT 2014

Right, Paul – I haven’t a clue in this situation as to where the bail money came from and tried to be clear about that – I should have been more careful.

My bail question was a general one I’ve wondered about many times in criminal cases (i.e., the Menendez brothers, the Marty Tankleff murder trial, drug lords, those accused of serious money laundering and racketeering, etc.), and the circumstances as reported in Mr. Pohrman’s tragic death provided me the opportunity to ask in a forum where someone might actually know the answer.

This whole tragedy is just very, very disturbing to me and raises lots of questions.  I won’t say I’m used to reading about such horrible tragedies, but when I hear about similar cases with children or vulnerable adults who were starved to death or nearly so, it’s not in my town.  It breaks my heart that a man with such significant medical challenges somehow managed to fall so far between the cracks right here in Moscow while in the care and custody of two people who were being paid to care for him.

Saundra

From: Paul Rumelhart [mailto:paul.rumelhart at gmail.com] 
Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2014 8:19 AM
To: Saundra Lund
Cc: Sunil; Moscow Vision 2020
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Moscow man dies of starvation in squalor under alleged care of Moscow couple

Not trying to start an argument here, but I would politely point out with regards to their using that $100,000 for bail money that I think we are putting the cart before the horse.  We may think we know what happened, and we might end up being right, but nothing has been proven in court yet so as far as I'm aware they can use that money for bail if they so desire.  Also, money is fungible. They can pay their $15,000 with money they received from selling their car or whatever, and buy themselves another car with the $100,000.  Or just move money around in accounts as they see fit.

I don't know why they aren't charging them with negligent homicide or something similar, either. 

Paul

On Wed, Jul 23, 2014 at 5:56 PM, Saundra Lund <v2020 at ssl1.fastmail.fm <mailto:v2020 at ssl1.fastmail.fm> > wrote:

I don’t believe the female defendant was in Latah County when she was arrested – I think she was picked up in Bingham County.  Note:  I’m not saying she fled to avoid charges (she appears to have waived extradition back to Latah County). Mr. Pohrman died in November and charges weren’t filed until just recently, so I don’t think we can assume anything from the fact that she wasn’t still in Latah County.

Sunil, I’ve got a question I’m hoping you (or anyone else) can answer for me.  I understand that the purpose of bail is to ensure that the defendant will appear as required, but does the State have any interest in or rules about where bail money can come from?  Or, does the Court only care that the bail is paid?

In this instance, the accused allegedly raided their victim’s bank account(s) to the tune of $50,000 or so.  Since each of their bail amounts are astonishingly low ($5000 for her; $10,000 for him – the cost of a bond is usually in the neighborhood of 10%, assuming it doesn’t wind up being forfeited, in which case the accused has to pay the whole amount), does the Court care if they used the money they stole from poor dead Mr. Pohrman to post bond?  I’m not saying that’s what happened – I’m just wondering if that’s anything the State cares about?

Also, for everyone who is horrified that a vulnerable elderly man was tortured to death (forced starvation qualifies as torture in my book), be aware the neither of the accused has been charged with Mr. Pohrman’s death.  Both have been charged with abuse, exploitation, or neglect of a vulnerable adult:

18-1505. Abuse, exploitation or neglect of a vulnerable adult. (1) Any person who abuses or neglects a vulnerable adult under circumstances likely to produce great bodily harm or death is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than ten (10) years and not more than a twenty-five thousand dollar ($25,000) fine.

The tragic fact that Mr. Pohrman actually died from the abuse/exploitation/neglect doesn’t seem to matter, at least based on the charges filed.  I don’t understand that one bit and I’m really very, very unhappy that a poor vulnerable man is now dead.

I also do not understand how someone on felony probation was able to torture poor Mr. Pohrman to death over a period of months.  I’m just absolutely sick at the thought that had the PO showed up at the home, perhaps Mr. Pohrman could have been saved.  There’s something very, very wrong with this picture.

Saundra

Moscow, ID

The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak out for themselves.

~ Jane Goodall

From:  <mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com> vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto: <mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com> vision2020-bounces at moscow.com] On Behalf Of Sunil
Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2014 4:08 PM
Cc:  <mailto:vision2020 at moscow.com> vision2020 at moscow.com

Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Moscow man dies of starvation in squalor under alleged care of Moscow couple

I'm not saying this isn't tragic. But that doesn't mean they shouldn't have the ability to bond out.

They may well plead guilty or be convicted. That's the time  to punish them,  not now. The investigation started in November and it doesn't appear that they fled before the warrants were issued. 

  _____  

Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2014 15:47:25 -0700
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Moscow man dies of starvation in squalor under alleged care of Moscow couple
From:  <mailto:janesta at gmail.com> janesta at gmail.com
To:  <mailto:thansen at moscow.com> thansen at moscow.com
CC:  <mailto:sunilramalingam at hotmail.com> sunilramalingam at hotmail.com;  <mailto:vision2020 at moscow.com> vision2020 at moscow.com

*heart CRACKS in two*

Please excuse me.. This upsets me so much, I can't think straight enough to speak concisely and clearly.  

Growing up in a nursing home my parents owned, and having spent most of my life working with disabled, elderly, or an infirm population I am pissed beyond belief.. One doesn't need have the experience I have with an at risk population to see this is nothing short of torturous murder.  

This gentleman was found NUDE and dead in his kitchen? The alleged perps of the crime are out on BAIL!?!?  Did not anyone notice? Of course not, or he would be alive.

Sunil, this felony involved the DEATH of a human being. These two people, rich or poor should not be out on bail. Where are they now?? 

Long gone are the days of Jay Shelledy and great reporting. Where the HELL was the Daily News on this story??? 

Janesta

On Wed, Jul 23, 2014 at 3:22 PM, Tom Hansen < <mailto:thansen at moscow.com> thansen at moscow.com> wrote:

Just those being charged with violent crimes, Sunil . . . ESPECIALLY if there is a death involved.

Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .

"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)

 <http://www.moscowcares.com/> http://www.MoscowCares.com

Tom Hansen

Moscow, Idaho

"There's room at the top they are telling you still.

But first you must learn how to smile as you kill,

If you want to be like the folks on the hill."

- John Lennon

On Jul 23, 2014, at 2:41 PM, Sunil < <mailto:sunilramalingam at hotmail.com> sunilramalingam at hotmail.com> wrote:

Why do you want them locked up Tom? Do you want to lock up everyone facing felonies? Or should only poor people lose their freedom when facing charges?

As a public defender I had lots of clients facing felonies who were out on bail. With very few exceptions they all appeared. The few who didn't were soon back in custody. 

Sunil

Sunil

  _____  

From:  <mailto:thansen at moscow.com> thansen at moscow.com
Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2014 14:31:03 -0700
To:  <mailto:donaldrose at cpcinternet.com> donaldrose at cpcinternet.com
CC:  <mailto:vision2020 at moscow.com> vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Moscow man dies of starvation in squalor under alleged care of Moscow couple

I would be VERY interested in the amount of the bond that made it so easy for these worms to gain their freedom.

What are the odds that these worms aren't even in the state of Idaho, let alone Latah County?  We're talking multiple felonies, amounting to 15+ years in prison.  Prosecutions that even I can get convictions.

Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .

"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)

 <http://www.moscowcares.com/> http://www.MoscowCares.com

Tom Hansen

Moscow, Idaho

"There's room at the top they are telling you still.

But first you must learn how to smile as you kill,

If you want to be like the folks on the hill."

- John Lennon

On Jul 23, 2014, at 1:51 PM, "Rosemary Huskey" < <mailto:donaldrose at cpcinternet.com> donaldrose at cpcinternet.com> wrote:

This is heartbreaking.  Why wasn’t this covered by the (pretend) local newspaper?
Rose Huskey

From:  <mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com> vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [ <mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com> mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com] On Behalf Of Tom Hansen
Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2014 12:40 PM
To: Moscow Vision 2020
Subject: [Vision2020] Moscow man dies of starvation in squalor under alleged care of Moscow couple

Courtesy of Pullman Radio at:

 <http://www.pullmanradio.com/moscow-man-dies-of-starvation-in-squalor-under-alleged-care-of-moscow-couple/> http://www.pullmanradio.com/moscow-man-dies-of-starvation-in-squalor-under-alleged-care-of-moscow-couple/

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Moscow man dies of starvation in squalor under alleged care of Moscow couple

A Moscow couple who were supposed to care for a vulnerable adult allegedly let the man starve to death in filthy living conditions. 21 year old Lindsey Winter and 24 year old Charles Wright have been charged with neglecting a vulnerable adult resulting in a death, exploitation of a vulnerable adult and welfare fraud. The case began on November third when Moscow Police responded to an unconscious male inside a trailer home on Brent Drive. Officers found 67 year old Lee Pohrman naked on the kitchen floor. Pohrman was later pronounced dead at Gritman Medical Center in Moscow. The cause of death was determined to be months of malnutrition. Officers say Pohrman was living in conditions so filthy that they became nauseous inside the trailer. Pohrman was covered in bed sores and doctors determined his nails hadn’t been trimmed in a year. Winter and Wright were supposed to be taking care of Pohrman starting in February of 2011. Wright spoke with Moscow Detectives and reportedly stated that Pohrman was to pay them 400 dollars a month for care giving. Investigators then determined that the couple allegedly removed nearly 50 thousand dollars from Pohrman’s account. That’s roughly five times more than the amount they were to be paid to care for the man who died in squalor inside their home. Moscow Police also say the couple committed fraud in receiving nearly eleven thousand dollars in food stamps while not reporting income for taking care of Pohrman. Pohrman’s Doctor says he suffered from bipolar disorder and needed constant care. Neither Winter nor Wright had any training for caregiving. Wright reportedly admitted to Moscow Police in an interview that he “Did a piss poor job.” when referring to his care of Pohrman in the time before his death. The only significant connection between the couple and Pohrman is that Winter is described as a family friend. Both were arrested on the felony counts after they were recently charged in Latah County Second District Court. The couple has since posted bond. Winter is scheduled to have a court hearing Wednesday afternoon while Wright is scheduled to have his preliminary hearing later this month.

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Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .

"Moscow Cares" 

 <http://www.moscowcares.com/> http://www.MoscowCares.com

Tom Hansen

Moscow, Idaho

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