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Episode 11 of “The Silent Struggle” had Forensic Psychologist, Shari Schwartz join Robert Asencio for a very compelling discussion concerning Nicholas Cruz (The Majorie Stoneman Douglas shooter) and the mental health issues he faced leading up to that horrific day on Valentine’s Day, 2018.
Dr. Schwartz, in addition to being a forensic psychologist, is also Dr. Schwartz a trial consultant, researcher, and mitigation and victim outreach expert. Her field of expertise is death penalty and homicide cases. She has also edited the anthology Where Law and Psychology Intersect: Issues in Legal Psychology which looks into major topics at the intersection of psychology and the American justice system.
Today’s discussion centered around Cruz’s mental state and the signs that were not caught. While empathy plays a large role in dealing with those having mental health issues, how does one have any empathy for someone as calculating violent as a Nicholas Cruz, or as Magnusson referred to him as a “monster.”
The discussion asks the very important questions, “what happens when treatment does not work?” and “is there a way to see something coming over the horizon, and deal with it before another tragedy takes place?
Dr. Schwartz, a true leader and expert in her field, offers a very valid assessment combined with very real concerns in regard to the Cruz incident and others like him (as well as those which we have not heard from yet.
A riveting episode to be sure.
