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Schizophrenic man pleads no contest in ER 'gun' incident

Healthcare Security Weekly, June 27, 2005

A West Warwick (RI) man received a three-year suspended sentence with probation for pleading no contest to four felony assault counts after waving a fake gun and causing a 20-minute standoff with police in the Kent Hospital emergency room (ER), reports the Providence Journal.

Joseph T. Oliveria, who suffers from schizophrenia, pulled out what appeared to be a handgun and made threats while waiting for treatment in the ER.

After he ignored officers' orders to put down the "weapon," they eventually tackled him and discovered the "gun" was a cigarette lighter.

Oliveria must also continue with residential drug treatment and mental health counseling as part of his probation.

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