Stinziano Doubts Athens Aides on Milligan Transfer

State Rep. Mike Stinziano, D-Columbus, is skeptical about efforts by Athens Mental Health Center officials to down play the possibility that William S. Milligan could be transferred to another institution.

The Columbus Democrat is convinced that newspaper publicity early last week stopped state officials from quietly transferring the 24-year-old mentally ill rapist and robber.

“Frankly, without the publicity, I feel certain he (Milligan) would have been transferred out of state or to Lima (State Hospital),” Stinziano said …

During the Wednesday press conference in Athens, Mrs. Foster said, “Treatment of Billy Milligan has been compromised by the press and his reaction to the press.”

The superintendent referred to the numerous reports which followed The Dispatch’s revelation that Milligan had been allowed on unsupervised leaves from the Athens Hospital.

Mrs. Foster’s comment brought a rebuff from Stinziano. “Blaming the press for reporting the facts is irresponsible,” he said …

When Stinziano and Ball demanded that the Ohio Mental Health Department call in outside experts to evaluate Milligans treatment, Dr. Cornelia Wilbur agreed to come to Athens. Her report praised Dr. Cauls treatment program. Setbacks like this, she explained, occurred often with multiple personalities.

The Columbus Dispatch reported on April 28, 1979:

Sybil’s Psychiatrist Approves of Leaves in Milligan Therapy By Melissa Widner

The psychiatrist asked by the Ohio Department of Mental Health … to consult on the case of mental patient William Milligan has recommended that no major changes be made in his treatment.

In her report to the department, made public Friday, Dr. Cornelia Wilbur supported Milligan’s therapy, which until recently included frequent furloughs from the Athens Mental Health Center, where he is a patient. … Dr. Wilbur said he is no longer dangerous after 13 months of therapy in state and private mental institutions. She suggested his treatment at the Athens facility be continued.

She said the unchaperoned leaves as part of his treatment were well conceived, but publicity about those leaves had had a negative effect …

The following article appeared in the Columbus Citizen-Journal on May 3, 1979:

Milligan Doctor’s Objectivity Questioned

State Rep. Mike Stinziano, D-Columbus, is questioning the objectivity of a psychiatrist who recommended treatments for William Milligan … In a letter to Myers Kurtz [sic], acting director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, Stinziano said Dr. Cornelia Wilbur should not give advice on the Milligan case “since she was originally responsible for the placement of William Milligan in Athens.”

Stinziano said the selection of Dr. Wilbur as an outside physician “makes about as much sense as asking Miss Lillian what kind of job Jimmy Carter is doing in the White House.”

On May 11, the Columbus chapter of the National Organization for Women wrote a three-page letter to Dr. Caul and sent copies to Meyers Kurtz, Mike Stinziano, Phil Donahue, Dinah Shore, Johnny Carson, Dr. Cornelia Wilbur and the Columbus Dispatch. It opened with the following:

Dr. Caul,

The treatment program you have prescribed for William Milligan, which according to newspaper accounts, includes unsupervised furloughs, unrestricted use of an automobile, and assistance in financial arrangements for books and movie rights, displays a deliberate and flagrant disregard for the safety of women in the surrounding communities. It cannot be tolerated under any circumstances …