Criminal law presuming Hackbarth innocent until proven guilty should be distinguished from public opinion based on reporting to date presuming Hackbarth an unstable, probably dangerous knuckle-dragging caveman lacking in sound personal judgment, unless proven otherwise.
Mark Olson was not reported as seeking any treatment at the Bachmann clinic, but it might be helpful if Marcus Bachmann, subject of course to therapist-client confidentiality, were to consider Hackbarth as a suitable client for some form of reprogramming.
There are numerous counselors at the clinic with skill sets and orientation to assist Hackbarth, but possibly Marcus Bachmann, as clinc head, might take on the challenge directly. He seems well suited to understanding how the pressures on one in politics may lead to instabilities and absurd or abnormal behavior.
The clinic advertises on its online homepage having specialty counseling expertise in such areas as "Abuse Issues," "Men's & Women's Issues," "Shame," and "Spiritual Issues." Some close to the clinic business doubtlessly have experience with conceal/carry dimensions of conduct, as permit holders past or present, or otherwise.
Within the range of most recent coverage, Budig of ECM Publishing reports on Dec. 2, 2010, quoting text within a Hackbarth issued statement/release:
“I’m going through a very difficult time in my life right now, and the toughest part is admitting my problems and committing to get the help that I need. I have done that, and I’m going to get help so that I can get things back in order,” said Hackbarth.
“With my priorities elsewhere, I know that I cannot hold a gavel, and so tonight I voluntarily gave up my committee chairmanship. I apologize to my family, the new speaker, to my colleagues and most of all my constituents who I’ve let down with my actions,” he said.
If Hackbarth has retained legal counsel, and who that might be, has not been reported anywhere I have seen in media coverage. Strib has reported online here, that retaining counsel may be advisible:
Wednesday morning, however, police were contacted by an anonymous tipster who said Hackbarth, a 16-year House veteran, was being untruthful when he provided the name of the woman, police spokesman Andy Skoogman said. The tipster provided a different woman's name.
Police contacted that woman, who acknowledged she knew Hackbarth but did not know why he was in the area that evening, Skoogman said. She also said she didn't want to pursue a case against Hackbarth, Skoogman said.
After speaking with the woman, police conducted a follow-up interview with Hackbarth. He told police he knew the woman but denied he was looking for her the night he was stopped.
Skoogman said police have still been unable to find a woman with the name Hackbarth initially provided.
"He tells us one thing, the caller tells us something else," Skoogman said. "We have no evidence to suggest one way or another. We feel we have the responsibility to do our due diligence and turn the case over to the city attorney's office."
St. Paul City Attorney Sara Grewing said Thursday afternoon that her office will "review it just like any other case from the police department."
Grewing would not comment on possible charges but said the case could take a week or two to review.
Willful lying to FBI agents has been made a federal crime, of and by itself, but I am unaware of whether State statutes or local ordinances have parallel provisions.