It all took place at famous Callaghan’s, a popular restaurant and Irish Social Club in Mobile’s Oakleigh Historical District. There were witnesses, and the episode is on videotape.
Iraq veteran Robert Jason Chapman, 49, had been charged with attempted murder after stabbing Cedric Sutherland with a knife. Friday, a judge found Chapman not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. Testimony established that Chapman was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
The June 2018 stabbing occurred after a heated argument between the two went south.
Chapman stabbed Sutherland multiple times. Sutherland was hospitalized in critical condition, ultimately recovering.
An expert witness from the prosecution, Dr. Anna Smith, found, “I would say I’m 99 percent confident or more. This is one of the most clear-cut cases I have ever seen of PTSD in operation when something has occurred.”
Chapman had served as a paratrooper and had seen fellow American service members killed.
Dr. Smith is a state forensic examiner for the Alabama Department of Mental Health. She was retained by the prosecution but called to the witness stand by the defense.
Chapman was represented by high-profile criminal defense attorney Johnny Brutkiewicz of Mobile.
Prosecuting attorneys did not put on any evidence to counter the finding of PTSD.
In addition to the finding of not guilty by reason of mental disease of defect, Circuit Judge Ben Brooks also ordered conditions of release.
1. The Defendant is not permitted to consume alcohol or any illegal drugs or controlled substances. The Defendant is to submit to random testing by either the Alabama Department of Mental Health or the Veteran’s Administration to ensure that the Defendant is not consuming alcohol or any non-prescribed controlled substance.
2. The Defendant shall submit to treatment and accept care from the Veteran’s Administration regarding his mental illness or other mental condition.
3. The Defendant shall take any medication prescribed by any treating providers from the Veteran’s Administration.
The Alabama Department of Mental Health shall submit periodic reports, no less than once every six months, to the Court, the Defendant’s Attorney, and the Mobile County District Attorney, regarding the Defendant’s compliance with these conditions of release and progress.
The January 3, 2025 verdict is available here.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler writes about Alabama’s people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.
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