One of the most disgusting stories in years is coming out of the Central Valley in California and it would have no political ramifications whatsoever if it didn’t involve a man referenced as Kevin McCarthy’s protege. Even then, the political connection remains tenuous.

According to reporting by LA Magazine, Kern County Supervisor Zack Scrivner – the “protege” (Which must mean a man who at least aspires to run for Congress) has been arrested for sexually assaulting his daughter. These remain allegations and charges, not a single fact has been proven in front of a jury and in this country, we acknowledge these critical facts.

As ugly as the accusation might be, the facts as found by the police, are even worse. Again, LA Magazine reports:

Deputies dispatched to the scene discovered Scrivner had already been disarmed and had sustained two stab wounds in a physical altercation with his children, sparked by the assault allegations.

Thirty guns, electronic devices, and psychedelic mushrooms were seized from Scrivner’s residence, leading to forensic examinations to determine potential influence.

Every child involved in this terrible tragedy was under the age of 18. One of the children stabbed their father in order to stop an assault – the report doesn’t say whether it was a physical assault or sexual assault, though one can almost presume that the children didn’t stop a sexual assault. It sounds like Scrivner was trying to prevent a report to the police.

Kern County California Supervisor & DA Cynthia Zimmer’s nephew, Zack Scrivner, is under investigation for the sexual assault of one of his children, after being stabbed by another one of his children who was defending the victim. pic.twitter.com/JY5nPnQHHt

— 𝐁𝐞𝐤𝐬 (@antifaoperative) April 25, 2024

Scrivner’s lawyer H.A. Sala has stated that the incident represents a mental health crisis gone horribly wrong.. This may be the case, yet it doesn’t preclude a conviction (IF a jury is persuaded) unless Scrivner can prove that the children conspired against him with no justification for their assault.

Given that it sounds as though the children reported the assault, Scrivner seems to be angling for the insanity defense, an incredibly high bar. He needed only to be aware of his actions and aware of the damage he was doing.

His mental health crisis is ascribed to a pending divorce – which can certainly bring on a mental health crisis, but – again, not enough to overcome the “insanity” defense, not in most cases anyway. There is a reason that it is rarely used.

This is a tragedy with no winners… save for a child or children that was/were possibly sexually assaulted and may never be again.

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Jason Miciak is Executive Editor at Political Flare and an Editor at Large at Occupy Democrats. He can be reached at [email protected]