Bounty Hunter: Murder suspect needed treatment
(KMSP) - The warning signs were there, but the help wasn't. That is what Kenneth Weiland, a bail enforcement agent, says of suspected murderer Adam Weimer.
Weimer, who is suspected of killing his father and future step mother, before taking his own life, had a lengthy criminal history. It was after failing to appear in court on fleeing a peace officer and DUI charges in 2014 that he met Weiland.
"I told him what I was there for, he said he needed to use the bathroom, so I let him use the bathroom and he locked the door behind him," Wieland said about the encounter he had after tracking Weimer to his brother’s house in Eagle Lake, Minn.
After just a few moments, Weiland sensed something was wrong inside the bathroom and demanded Weimer come out.
"We ended up opening the door and he was trying to commit suicide, he was trying to cut his neck open."
Weimer was taken to the hospital, but instead of receiving treatment for any psychological issues, he was soon delivered to the Dakota County Jail.
"The deputies at the jail were familiar with him and knew he had some suicidal issues and mental issues at the time."
Weiland attended Weimer's next court appearance where he says still no one addressed his mental health.
"I'm not a mental health professional, but when I see someone that has mental health issues, you take notice,” he said. "There was a question of his mental health brought up at that hearing from the bail bonds company that bailed him out. They just overlooked it and went straight into bail. It doesn't look like he ever got the help he needed."
Through the bail process, Weiland got to know Weimer’s father, Terry Weimer, and says he expressed concern for his son’s mental well-being.
"It was very obvious that he cared about his son's well-being, and he wanted his son to get help. He wanted his son to get better."
Weiland says Weimer’s case isn’t all that unique – often suspects in need of treatment for mental disorders don’t receive the care they need.
“Every other case I work on. Easily every other case," Weiland said of how often he has dealt with people in need of mental care.
Weiland says as a bail enforcement agent he doesn't have the authority to do much on an individual basis, but he hopes speaking out will encourage lawmakers to fund mental health treatment.
"I looked through his case files when I was trying to find him. It's part of my job to look into these people's lives and it doesn't look like he's ever really had any mental health or evaluation done through the court system," he said. "What can the court system do? What can people like me do? What can police officers do? We can't get them the help if we don't have the resources available."