Former Connecticut Senate Candidate John Flynn Held By State Without Charges or Trial in Psychiatric Ward
May 22, 2025
John Flynn, a former senatorial candidate, has become the focus of a heated controversy in Connecticut after being detained at Whiting Forensic Hospital for the criminally insane since March 24, 2025—without trial or conviction. Supporters allege that Flynn’s disappearance is a result of political retaliation, orchestrated by state officials, including a Biden-appointed U.S. District Judge favored by Senators Blumenthal and Murphy, who has ignored pleas and habeas petitions challenging Flynn’s confinement.
Flynn’s advocates argue that his detainment is an attempt to silence his reporting on alleged state corruption, including claims of election fraud and misconduct at the highest levels of Connecticut government. They say that after being deemed competent several times, Flynn was set up with questionable charges of resisting arrest, trespassing, and threatening—based on a years-old video—by CT Superior Court Judge Mary Elizabeth Reid and the Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
Despite his repeated competence findings, Flynn has been barred from speaking in court, denied visitors, and subjected to forced medical treatments, including unnecessary medication, all while being pressured to accept a plea bargain, he refuses.
From the state’s perspective, officials argue that Flynn is dangerous because he allegedly made threatening statements that could incite violence, raising public safety concerns. They also point to his persistent refusal to comply with court orders, combined with his public accusations and disruptive behavior, as evidence of ongoing mental health issues. Under Connecticut law (CGS § 17a-503), a person can be involuntarily committed if deemed a danger to themselves or others, or “gravely disabled.” The state claims Flynn’s actions and statements meet this threshold, justifying psychiatric evaluation and continued detainment.
However, it is important to note that there are currently no public documents, police reports, eyewitness accounts, or pending court dates available that substantiate these claims or demonstrate that Connecticut officials have formally made these arguments in any official proceeding. The statements above summarize an alleged perspective, but are not supported by any verifiable public record as of this time.
The state insists that Flynn’s commitment follows due process, with legal hearings and judicial review, and is not politically motivated but based on statutory criteria for involuntary commitment and public safety.
Meanwhile, the national organization AbleChild, which champions informed consent and the right to refuse psychiatric treatment, has expressed deep concern about Flynn’s situation. AbleChild is seeking to conduct a human rights visit to Whiting Forensic Hospital to ensure Flynn’s safety during their visit. Their presence in Connecticut is fueled not only by Flynn’s case, but also by the recent aggressive actions against homeschoolers and the glaring lack of transparency surrounding the upcoming State Republican Chairman election on June 24th. In a recent incident that highlights the state’s disregard for public input, AbleChild’s microphone was cut off during live testimony on CTN television, and sudden rule changes eliminated public testimony altogether. These events reinforce AbleChild’s urgent demand for accountability, protection of patient and parental rights, and real transparency in Connecticut’s mental health and political systems.
John Flynn’s case sits at the intersection of political dissent, psychiatric law, and civil rights. Supporters view his detainment as a chilling example of state overreach and political suppression, while Connecticut officials maintain that public safety and legal standards justify his commitment. The involvement of organizations like AbleChild underscores the growing concern over the potential misuse of psychiatric authority in politically sensitive cases.
Clearly, the State of Connecticut is exhibiting signs of a failed state, with entrenched corruption in both major parties. This is further evidenced by the lack of public notification and transparency surrounding the upcoming State Republican Chairman election scheduled for June 24th, leaving voters uninformed and raising serious questions about the integrity and openness of Connecticut’s political processes.
AbleChild is a 501(3) C nonprofit organization and has recently co-written landmark legislation in Tennessee, setting a national precedent for transparency and accountability in the intersection of mental health, pharmaceutical practices, and public safety.
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