Court sides with social worker in homicide case

OCONTO, Wis. — A state appeals court agrees with an Oconto County ruling that a social worker cannot be held legally responsible for failing to recommend emergency detention for a man who later killed his mother and nephew.

William Hammersley said he fatally shot Judy Hammersley and his nephew, Nicholas Hammersley, in June 2005 because he was directed by the devil and President George Bush.

The day before, a law enforcement officer had asked the social worker how to deal with Hammersley’s erratic behavior. The officer decided against initiating an emergency mental health detention.

Hammersley’s father and the victims’ estates filed a civil suit after the fatal shooting, seeking damages from the social worker and others.

WLUK-TV reports the appeals court upheld the circuit court ruling that the law gives the officials immunity.