Support Pascal’s Way for Daniel’s Future

Please Give a Young Man a Path to Redemption and a Future!

On May 7, 2020, our family suffered an unspeakable tragedy. After years of struggling with serious mental illness, my 17-year-old son Daniel Weisberger had a psychotic break, attacking his brother, Pascal, and I, and is now charged with Pascal’s death. Despite this terrible outcome, Daniel greatly loves his family, and is utterly heartbroken by Pascal’s loss, wishing every second of each day during the past seven months he has been in jail that his brother were still with us.

This tragic reality is the result of Daniel being subjected to years of physical and emotional cruelty, behavior that went on for much of his childhood, as well as a mental health system inadequate to help him overcome the serious psychological issues caused by the abuse. Despite this well-documented history, last January multiple state agencies responsible for Daniel’s welfare made the egregious decision to place him back with his abuser and failed to properly safeguard that he would be treated appropriately this time.

The consequence of these actions was Daniel being traumatized by months of emotional and physical abuse and neglect, leading to the precipitous deterioration in his mental well-being, which ultimately triggered the actions alleged to have caused his brother’s death.

Despite Daniel’s age and the obvious role that child abuse and mental illness played in this tragedy, the Monroe County State Attorney’s office has charged Daniel as an adult and intends for him to spend decades in prison, essentially eliminating his chance for a future. Pascal’s death was a tragedy beyond comprehension, but long-term imprisonment for Daniel will only lead to the lives of both boys being destroyed, when one can still be saved.

Unfortunately, despite the wishes of our family and I, the legal system has not been pursuing a fair outcome for Daniel. Though a victim in the case, I strongly believe that Daniel being denied a future is unacceptable, and as someone who knew Pascal better than anyone, I am confident he would feel the same. That is why I’m asking for your help to provide Daniel with the best legal assistance possible, to press for a resolution that will acknowledge that he is a mentally ill child in need of long-term mental health treatment, not incarceration.

The push for criminal justice reform and an improved mental health system have garnered increasing focus around our country. Improvements in these areas are particularly necessary with juveniles, who differ from adults in many ways, including their level of brain development and ability to make appropriate decisions. Children charged with a crime deserve to be treated in a manner that acknowledges their stage of development and emphasizes treatment and rehabilitation, especially when mental health is a contributing factor.

Even serious crimes should be handled in light of these factors: A case in point is a noteworthy example years ago in Miami that was successfully resolved and had a number of approaches relevant and appropriate for Daniel. See https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1989-09-10-8903020457-story.html and https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1993-10-03-9309170554-story.html for further information.

As a father, I have always loved my boys equally, and while I continue to grieve Pascal’s loss, I strongly believe that Daniel is a good person who should be helped, not incarcerated. Daniel didn’t deserve to suffer the trauma of abuse and mental illness, and the truth is that no one loved Pascal more than Daniel, or is more devastated by the reality of his loss. Daniel should have received better help to overcome the struggles he has faced, but was instead placed in situations that further undermined his emotional and psychological well-being.

The past can’t be undone, but Daniel deserves our care and support in the present. We need to ensure this time he gets the help necessary to provide a way through this terrible tragedy, and to the positive life that Pascal would want for him.

To support Pascal's way (https://www.facebook.com/PascalsWay.org/) for Daniel’s future, a path to redemption and a meaningful life for his brother, instead of one wasted in prison, please contribute to help Daniel have the best legal defense possible. Your support will make all the difference to ensure that Daniel’s case is resolved in recognition of him being:

1. A juvenile and deserving of being legally acknowledged as such.
2. A victim of child abuse and mental illness.
3. In need of effective mental health treatment and an opportunity for rehabilitation, not decades in prison.

If you care about Daniel's future and would also be willing to sign a petition advocating for better treatment for him, please go to: https://www.change.org/p/support-pascal-sway-for-d...