Children Are From Heaven

Blessed is the man who keeps in touch with his child's heart. -"A patient man has great understanding" - Proverbs 14:92

A family's tragedy. On November 29, 2001, Joe Frank Pittman, 66, and his loving wife of 44 years, Joy Roberts Pittman, 62, were found dead inside the charred rubble of their home. Both were shot while asleep, and their dream home was set on fire. The couple's 12-year-old grandson was found the following day wandering in the woods of Cherokee County. The authorities say he admitted to the crimes and they charged him as an adult for the murder of his grandparents and arson of their home. Nearly four years later, Christopher now 16, has been tried as an adult in the state of SC, found guilty of murder and is serving a consecutive 30 year sentence. He will be 42 when he can be released.

The family grieves as so many questions go unanswered. A quiet, gentle loving boy, Chris loved his Nanna and Pop Pop with all his heart; he worshiped the ground Pop Pop walked on. Christopher was a good child whose behavior was noticeably altered once he was prescribed Paxil immediately switched to Zoloft at 100 milligrams a day, and a week later increased to 200 milligrams a day.

Christopher was under the influence of Zoloft at the time he shot and killed his grandparents. He was only 12 years old at the time. Zoloft and other SSRi's have not been approved by the FDA for use in children.

At 90 lbs and only 5'ft tall, Christopher clearly suffered serious adverse reactions to Zoloft, including akathisia, a neurological reaction characterized by extreme internal restlessness and agitation, associated with suicide and violence, emotional blunting, mania and psychosis. Expert witnesses on both sides agreed (as countless research shows) that Zoloft and similar antidepressants will cause these side effects in some people.

Furthermore, the legal presumption is that a twelve year old lacks the capacity to form the criminal intent necessary to be tried as an adult.

When you couple the psychological, developmental, emotional and mental maturity (or therelackof) of a 12 year-old child under the influence of a drug that had on him mind altering, psychotropic effects associated with violence, holding Christopher Pittman accountable "as an adult" is a travesty of justice.

There has been an enormous public outcry concerning the verdict. The Governor of South Carolina has been overwhelmed with requests for a pardon for Christopher. (article)

Please help support Christopher Pittman and his family.