Survivors, families to access card records

A Maine probate court judge on Tuesday allowed survivors and families who lost loved ones in last year’s Lewiston shootings access to the medical and military records of the Army reservist who committed the massacre.

Robert R. Card II, 40, of Bowdoin, killed 18 people and injured 13 others at a Lewiston bowling alley and bar. In the months before the Oct. 25 massacre, several of Card’s family members, friends and associates reported to authorities that he was becoming paranoid and angry and had threatened to be shot, according to a separate investigation by the state commission and the army. Book.

Card’s private records could provide more details about the military’s response to the reports, according to Travis Brennan, a lawyer helping to represent about 90 survivors and victims’ families.

The documents could also help determine why a New York psychiatric hospital released Card months before the shooting, Brennan said. His release came despite a diagnosis of psychosis and reports that he had “murderous thoughts” and kept a “hit list.”

“We believe these records and materials will provide critical information,” Brennan said in an interview.

Brennan and other attorneys representing survivors and families have asked Sagadahoc County Probate Court Judge David Paris to appoint Cynthia Young as special administrator of Card’s estate, court documents show. Brennan said the judge’s ruling means Young will have the legal authority to request Card’s confidential records from the military and the private hospital where Card spent 19 days.

Lawyers in the lawsuit argued that Young had a claim on Card’s estate and could serve as its administrator because both her husband, William, and the couple’s 14-year-old son, Aaron, died.

Court documents show that Card’s son, Colby, was his sole heir and did not oppose the petition.

In May 2023, Colby Card and his mother notified local police that they were concerned about Card and warned that he had access to weapons. Police never made contact with Card, although officers notified his reserve unit in Saco, according to a state investigation into the shooting.

The following July, while Card was training with his unit in New York, his colleagues reported his erratic behavior to his superiors. Card was ordered to undergo evaluation at Keller Army Community Hospital at West Point and was then admitted to Four Winds Hospital in Katonah, New York

After Card’s hospitalization, the army blocked his access to military weapons. However, although Four Winds employees recommended that Card’s personal firearm be secured after his release, investigators report that his own weapon was never taken.

Card’s commanding officer stated that he did not have the authority to seize his personal firearm.

“It’s unclear why he was allowed to walk free and have access” to weapons, Brennan said.

The state investigation and an Army Reserve investigation also faulted Card’s superiors for failing to contact Card after his hospitalization to provide him with medical care.

Brennan said Army archives could also shed light on whether Card suffered multiple concussions while on duty. Scientists examining Card’s brain reported finding evidence of severe traumatic brain injury, and it is believed that as a grenade instructor he was exposed to thousands of blasts.

Brennan and attorney Benjamin Gideon said they expect to file a lawsuit in the case. Brennan said Tuesday that “all options are being considered” and that obtaining Card’s records would be the basis for any legal proceedings.

In court documents, lawyers for survivors and families said the records are important for evaluating potential legal claims, including claims against the U.S. government.

A lawyer representing Colby Card did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Brennan praised the Card family on Tuesday.

“We truly appreciate the Card family’s cooperation in our efforts to obtain this crucial data,” he said.

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John Hilliard can be reached at [email protected].