Introduction to the Case
A federal magistrate judge in New York raised concerns weeks ago about a suicide watch and the mental well-being of the man accused of being an accomplice in the bombing of a Palm Springs fertility clinic — long before the accused took his own life Tuesday morning inside an LA jail.
Daniel Park, 32, was found unresponsive at the Metropolitan Detention Center and died at a hospital.
The Death of Daniel Park
The LA County Medical Examiner said this week Park died by suicide as the result of blunt force injuries.
Initial Court Appearance
According to the transcript of Park’s initial appearance in federal court in the Eastern District of New York in Brooklyn on June 4, Magistrate Judge Cheryl L. Pollak inquired about injuries on Park’s body.
"Well, one other question though, counsel, in light of the nature of Mr. Park’s alleged believes [sic] here, should the Court be concerned about a suicide watch?," Judge Pollak asked Park’s defense attorney Jeffrey S. Dahlberg.
"I understand he’s got some injuries that need to be taken care of. Seeing him here, I don’t know if they’re self-inflicted. But I guess I want to make sure that if there is an issue, we should know about it before he’s sent to MDC," the judge said, referencing the acronym for the LA lockup.
"I have conferred with Mr. Park. We don’t have concern of that," Dahlberg said.
"Okay. All right. Well, it’s noted on the record that the Court raised the issue," Judge Pollak said.
Aftermath and Investigation
Dahlberg declined to comment on the hearing or the circumstances of Park’s death in Los Angeles.
Park arrived at MDC on June 14 in anticipation of facing a charge of providing material support to terrorists, according to federal officials.
A spokesperson for the Bureau of Prisons, the agency that operates MDC, declined to comment or answer questions about whether jailers were aware of the exchange in the New York courtroom or had taken extra precautions to monitor Park.
The FBI said Friday it was conducting an investigation into the death.
The Palm Springs Bombing
The criminal complaint filed against Park accused him of shipping or purchasing more than 200 pounds of ammonium nitrate, a chemical often used to make explosives – that FBI agents said was likely used in the Palm Springs bomb.
The complaint also alleged that Park shared so-called "anti-natalist" ideological beliefs with the bomber, Guy Bartkus, 25, who was killed when the bomb detonated outside the American Reproductive Centers office on May 17.
The FBI said Park, who lived in the state of Washington, visited Bartkus at his home in 29 Palms in January and February, and the pair conducted experiments to test various explosive formulas.
Conclusion
The death of Daniel Park raises serious concerns about the mental health support and suicide watch protocols in place within the justice system, particularly for individuals accused of serious crimes.
FAQs
Q: What were the concerns raised by the federal magistrate judge in New York?
A: The judge raised concerns about a suicide watch and the mental well-being of Daniel Park due to the nature of his alleged beliefs and visible injuries.
Q: How did Daniel Park die?
A: According to the LA County Medical Examiner, Park died by suicide as the result of blunt force injuries.
Q: What was Daniel Park accused of?
A: Park was accused of providing material support to terrorists and shipping or purchasing large quantities of ammonium nitrate, a chemical used in explosives.
Q: Is there an ongoing investigation into Park’s death?
A: Yes, the FBI is conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Park’s death.
