Webster County Family Belives Suspected Shooter Needs Mental Help
By: Zakk Gammon
Updated: June 12, 2012
Harold Simms of Webster County is accused of shooting his estranged
wife. His family tells Eyewitness News delayed court hearings are
keeping him from getting the psychiatric help he needs. Simms' son says
the judge granted a continuance to his trial today because Simms was
appointed an attorney Monday. The family, along with Simms' estranged
wife, Connie, want to know what can be done to get Simms the help they
say isn't being provided.
I'm sure Connie was scared to death," said Simms' daughter-in-law, Sandra Buchanan. In most cases, a divorcing couple can split a family in half.
"We don't have any animosity toward her whatsoever. We're trying to help her in any way that we can," Buchanan said. But the bond between Harold Simms' family and his estranged wife, Connie is stronger than ever after the shooting.
"If the proper steps were taken, it would have been prevented," said the suspect's son, Terry Simms. Terry Simms says Connie had an Order of Protection against Harold because he had threatened her in the past. In fact, they say just two days before this shooting happened, the authorities promised Connie that Harold would have no access to firearms.
"My main concern is my father shouldn't even be in this jail. And had the authorites done what they should have, he wouldn't," said Terry Simms.
"He'd be somewhere getting the mental and psychlogical attention that he needed. And getting his medicine straightened out," Buchanan added.
Friends and family were home when Harold allegedly shot Connie.
"I heard a pop. And I tackled him," said Chris Simms, the couple's nephew, who State Police say wrestled the gun away from Harold. The family believes that likely saved Connie's life.
"She had a broken bone, and some nerve damage. I think the nerve damage is permanent," said Buchanan. For now, the Simms say they're trying to put their family back together and say they're working to get the authorities to provide a mental evaluation, something they believe should've happened the day Harold was arrested.
"She's helped him. She was good for Harold. And she was," said Buchanan.
Harold Simms' bond is set at $250,000. While Terry Simms says his father is a wealthy man, most of his money is tied up in divorce proceedings. If he is released, Terry Simms says he'll be taking his father to a psychiatric facility.
Harold Simms' next court date is set for June 26th.
I'm sure Connie was scared to death," said Simms' daughter-in-law, Sandra Buchanan. In most cases, a divorcing couple can split a family in half.
"We don't have any animosity toward her whatsoever. We're trying to help her in any way that we can," Buchanan said. But the bond between Harold Simms' family and his estranged wife, Connie is stronger than ever after the shooting.
"If the proper steps were taken, it would have been prevented," said the suspect's son, Terry Simms. Terry Simms says Connie had an Order of Protection against Harold because he had threatened her in the past. In fact, they say just two days before this shooting happened, the authorities promised Connie that Harold would have no access to firearms.
"My main concern is my father shouldn't even be in this jail. And had the authorites done what they should have, he wouldn't," said Terry Simms.
"He'd be somewhere getting the mental and psychlogical attention that he needed. And getting his medicine straightened out," Buchanan added.
Friends and family were home when Harold allegedly shot Connie.
"I heard a pop. And I tackled him," said Chris Simms, the couple's nephew, who State Police say wrestled the gun away from Harold. The family believes that likely saved Connie's life.
"She had a broken bone, and some nerve damage. I think the nerve damage is permanent," said Buchanan. For now, the Simms say they're trying to put their family back together and say they're working to get the authorities to provide a mental evaluation, something they believe should've happened the day Harold was arrested.
"She's helped him. She was good for Harold. And she was," said Buchanan.
Harold Simms' bond is set at $250,000. While Terry Simms says his father is a wealthy man, most of his money is tied up in divorce proceedings. If he is released, Terry Simms says he'll be taking his father to a psychiatric facility.
Harold Simms' next court date is set for June 26th.
