Florida Prosecutor Points to Mental Health Treatment Costs in Triple Murder Case
A Florida prosecutor has controversially cited the high cost of mental health treatment as a key factor in a tragic case where a man allegedly killed three tourists near Disney World. State Attorney Monique Worrell delivered an impassioned argument last Thursday, highlighting what she described as systemic failures in the legal and healthcare systems.
The Alleged Crimes and Previous Legal History
The case involves Jihad Bojeh, 29, who faces three counts of first-degree murder with a firearm for the deaths of three men on January 17. The victims were identified as Robert Luis Kraft, 69, his brother Douglas Joseph Kraft, 68, and their friend James Puchan, 68. The trio were visiting Kissimmee, approximately 30 minutes from Orlando, to attend the Mecum Car Show.
According to the Osceola County Sheriff's office, the three friends were preparing to return home from their rental property when they were shot and killed by Bojeh. This incident followed Bojeh's previous legal troubles, including a 2021 case where he was charged with attempted first-degree murder with a firearm, aggravated battery, and two counts of criminal mischief after opening fire at a Wawa gas station.
In 2022, Bojeh was acquitted of those charges by reason of insanity, meaning he was found to have committed the crime but did not understand it was wrong. As a result, he was approved for outpatient mental health treatment rather than commitment to a state facility.
Prosecutor's Argument on Treatment Costs and Systemic Failure
Now, with Bojeh back in custody, State Attorney Worrell has asserted that a failure in the legal system contributed to the recent crime. She specifically pointed to the unaffordable cost of mental health support that Bojeh was supposed to receive following his 2021 arrest.
During a press conference last week, Worrell explained, 'My understanding is that that treatment was originally costing $7 a month and that after a period of time, that $7 a month bill went up to $150+ a month. That the individual was no longer in compliance with his treatment because of inability to pay for that treatment.'
Worrell, who represents the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, emphasized that stopping necessary mental health resources for Bojeh represented a broader systemic issue. She stated, 'The criminal legal system is not adequately equipped to deal with mental illness, nor should it be. That is a role of community partners. That is a role of mental illness hospitals, but not the Department of Corrections or the state attorney's office.'
She further noted, 'However, studies have shown that our jails and our departments of corrections are the largest mental health providers in our communities. That's a problem. It's a problem because when things go wrong, people are looking for someone to blame.'
Legal Proceedings and Family Background
The prosecutor detailed that although Bojeh was found legally insane during his 2022 sentencing, it was determined he was not a danger to himself or others. This assessment, according to Worrell, prohibited the court from sentencing him to involuntary commitment in a mental health hospital under statutory standards.
Worrell also mentioned that when an offender fails to receive mental health treatment, it can be brought before a judge in competency court. She speculated that this might not have occurred in Bojeh's case, suggesting questions should be directed toward his case manager and supervising agency.
In addition to the treatment order, the State Attorney's Office and Bojeh's defense attorney agreed to bypass a jury trial, allowing Judge Alicia Latimore to make the determination to release him. Records from the Osceola County Sheriff's office reveal that from 2006 to 2022, there were 41 service calls to Bojeh's parents' address, where he also resided. Of these, 16 involved Bojeh, mostly during his minor years.
The calls often detailed aggressive behavior toward family members and school refusal. In a 2020 letter to a judge, Bojeh's father described his son as having 'been sitting home since 2014,' with no income or support, and noted that Bojeh spent much time in the garage screaming or laughing, making communication difficult.
Political Backlash and Family Statements
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has strongly criticized Worrell's stance, accusing her of failing to pursue justice. In a recent social media post, Uthmeier stated, 'Regardless of the spin State Attorney Worrell is selling, she knowingly stipulated to an agreement that avoided a jury trial and allowed Jihad Bojeh to receive outpatient treatment instead of being committed to a state hospital. She failed to pursue justice, and three men are dead because of her failure.'
The families of the Kraft brothers and Puchan have expressed their grief, describing the act as senseless and random. In a joint statement, they said, 'These three wonderful men did not deserve this. Our families are left with an unexpected, unimaginable loss that cannot be put into words. We ask for privacy, prayers, and respect as we mourn and begin to process this tragedy.'
The victims have been remembered as loving husbands, brothers, and uncles, highlighting the profound impact of their loss on their communities.
