An Oakland man, known to have a history of mental illness, has been accused of attacking an elderly Asian American woman in San Francisco. According to the Anti Police-Terror Project (APTP), a community activist group, they have been familiar with 27-year-old James Ramsey as they attempted to help him access mental health and housing services over the past year.
APTP reports that Ramsey, a disabled resident with a well-documented history of serious mental illnesses and a history of head injuries, had been turned away multiple times by government and nonprofit agencies when efforts were made to secure housing and mental health services for him.
On Tuesday, Ramsey made his first court appearance, charged with assaulting an 88-year-old Asian woman near Union Square. District Attorney Brooke Jenkins described the woman as being “in a fight for her life” following the attack.
As personal injury bloggers, we often discuss cases involving mental health and the potential for harm when proper care and resources are lacking. This case highlights the tragic consequences that can stem from a systemic failure to provide adequate support for individuals with serious mental health needs. It also underscores the potential for legal actions, as victims and their families seek justice and accountability.