I used to have this recurring nightmare about going into a restroom and instead of finding a stereotypical American toilet, I’d encounter the kind that required the user to squat over them.  It didn’t occur to me until I wandered into a nature park restroom in Japan that the style of restroom was common in the areas my family traveled when I was very young, leaving  the indelible mark on my developing brain.  My restroom nightmare was objectively so silly and borne of unfamiliarity with that particular style of plumbing… I haven’t had the dream again after placing it in the right context.  Where my trip to a random park bathroom in Japan cured me of a silly ignorant fear, Terry Helvey, a sailor, stalked a shipmate into park bathroom to commit a hate crime and set off decades of unrelenting nightmares for Allen Schindler’s surviving family members.

I referenced information from Wikipedia, the New York Times (1)(2)(3)(4), Chicago Tribune, Windy City Times, Washington Blade (1)(2)(3), Dallas Voice, Washington Post, LA Times, Georgetown Law, and the Justice Department.

This episode discusses crimes committed against a member of the LGBTQ community. If you are a member of the community seeking assistance or support, please reach out to any of the incredible organizations suggested by PFLAG.

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share, rate and review it wherever you listen to podcasts. I'm happy to receive constructive feedback or case suggestions at conductunbecomingpod@gmail.com. Join me over on Instagram @conductunbecoming! Disclaimer: Conduct Unbecoming is a podcast where I get to talk about interesting crimes and cases that involve US military service members. I research, write, and produce the podcast myself… the opinions expressed are my own and, perhaps it’s obvious, Conduct Unbecoming is not approved, endorsed, or authorized by the Department of Defense. I am not a military JAG and have never been a military JAG. While I'm a practicing attorney, I don't do direct criminal defense. This podcast is a passion project, not legal advice or expert opinion.