Virginia Tech has posted online the counseling records of Seung-Hui Cho, the student who killed 32 people on campus and himself in April 2007.
Tech announced today that the estate executor, as well as the Cho family, have agreed to its request to make public the records from Tech's Cook Counseling Center.
The records cover all of Cho's interactions with the center during November and December 2005, which Tech said were the only times he had dealings with the center.
They include an evaluation on Dec. 13, 2005, at the Carilion New River Valley Medical Center in Radford. "He says it's all a misunderstanding," reads one entry under the "patient history" section. "The patient denies suicidal ideation. However, he is very nonverbal and did not discuss feelings."
Similar descriptions follow in the physical examination portion of the assesment.
"Patient very nonverbal, very quiet, sits in the chair looking down at the floor, does not blink," the report says. "Often does not answer questions or perhaps shakes his head 'yes' or 'no.' When he does speak, it's very slow, very soft-spoken. No smile, no laughter, no crying. Patient does not blink. The patient speaks so softly, it's almost difficult to hear him."
Under the assessment portion of the evaulation, it was concluded that Cho had a "mood disorder" and it suggested that he "can be treated on an outpatient basis with counseling."
The records include those recently found among personal files of the former counseling center director, Robert Miller. Miller's attorney has said those records were removed inadvertently when Miller was reassigned to a different department early in 2006.
The records returned by Miller consist of paper records of Cho's two telephone interactions with professionals at the counseling center before his hospitalization at Carilion St. Albans Hospital and his appointment at the Cook Counseling Center after his release from the Carilion St. Albans hospital.
Records in possession of the Cook Counseling Center since 2005 can be viewed at http://www.unirel.vt.edu/documents/2009-08-ccrecords.pdf.
Records in Miller's possession that were returned to Virginia Tech last month can be viewed at http://www.unirel.vt.edu/documents/2009-08-rmrecords.pdf.
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine released the following statement about the release:
"The release of Seung Hui Cho's records will raise a lot of different feelings for the families devastated by the tragic events of April 16, 2007 -- and for the broader Virginia Tech community. I deeply sympathize with the families and loved ones who have to relive the pain and loss of that terrible day.
"We will never fully comprehend what led Seung Hui Cho to carry out his assault on his fellow students and instructors. His actions were by nature inexplicable, and I don't expect the questions surrounding the tragedy will ever really end. However, we remain committed to openness around the events at Virginia Tech and it is important that the public have legal access to these records. I am pleased the Cho family also wanted these records released to the public.
"To the Virginia Tech families--and the countless citizens across the country and around the globe who bore witness to that terrible day--I renew my condolences and offer my prayers for brighter days to come."
For more details, see tomorrow's Richmond Times-Dispatch.
-- Karin Kapsidelis
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