EXCLUSIVE 9-1-1 AUDIO: Judge, Seeking Re-election, OD's in 'half-hearted' Suicide Attempt

Suicide is not a joking matter. It is not something you mock someone over, nor is it something to be taken lightly. People very close to me have left this world due to suicide, and the emotional damage endured by the families lasts forever. Suicide is the leading cause of gun death in America, and is one of the leading causes of overall death. The Covid Pandemic exacerbated this issue, and it is becoming a problem that needs to be addressed.

Due to tragic nature of suicides and attempted suicides, you will rarely see them reported on in the media. However, as a society we have elevated certain positions of public service to a higher standard. Society would not usually find the mental impairment of a senior citizen newsworthy, but when that senior citizen is the President of the United States things change.

Recently I was alerted to a situation in the 13th Judicial District and after a lot of consideration I feel the public needs to be made aware. Judge Amy Hollars is seeking re-election in the 13th Judicial District for Circuit Court Judge.

Why report on this unfortunate scenario? To be blunt, this incident raises some serious questions about Judge Hollars' fitness for duty. Circuit Court Judge is a very respected position that holds a tremendous level of responsibility. As a sitting Judge over the 13th Judicial Districts Circuit Court Hollars oversees both civil and criminal cases of all types. Could a mental health crisis effect the decisions made by a sitting Judge? If a sitting Judge is misusing prescription medication, should they oversee cases involving prescription drugs? If a someone is on high doses of a drug like Xanax (often used to cope with Anxiety among other mental illnesses" and known to causes memory blackouts, has that effected their judgement? Suicide attempts are not something that usually come out of nowhere, and the caller seems fairly calm on the phone, considering the situation. Is this the first time this has happened? Is there a history of self-medication? Lastly, how many cases could be in jeopardy due to these issues?

Let me reiterate, this is not a laughing matter. Sometimes a person struggles with the suicidal thoughts for months, or years before actually making an attempt, and it's the first time those around them have noticed a cry for help. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of Suicide, get help right away. You can call that Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-8255.