Tulsa DA Kunzweiler speaks out on mental illness one day after being stabbed by daughter

TULSA, Okla. — Tulsa County District Attorney [DA], Steve Kunzweiler held a press conference just a day after police say his daughter Jennifer stabbed him and herself in their home on Sept. 27.

Tulsa Police say Jennifer Kunzweiler is still in the hospital but in police custody.

The Wagoner County District Attorney is working on this case and was appointed by the Attorney General. - no charges have been filed yet still investigating.

The father spoke on mental health and how it has impacted families in the community.

“Mental illness is a terrible thing. Many families like ours have endured anxious ridden concern for our affected loved ones. No one, no one wants to be mentally ill,” said Kunzweiler. “You have heard me speak on many occasions of this state and this country’s need to address what seems to be an exploding mental health crisis among our population.”

The Tulsa DA called on State Legislators to increase funding and resources for mental health.

“In my 30 plus years, I’ve seen that system erode so badly that now that Tulsa County Sherriff houses the largest population of mentally ill affected people in the state,” said Kunzweiler. “That is simply wrong and we as a state need to do better.”

According to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the state provided $340 million in funding for those services this year, an increase of 5.8% from 2021. But still, a mental health advocacy non-profit ‘mental health America’ ranks Oklahoma 28/51 in the United States for access to mental health resources.

“In August of 2015, Labor Commissioner Mark Costello was stabbed to death by his mentally ill son at a Braum’s restaurant. That was this state’s very first public warning, that our laws governing the mentally ill and the funding necessary to treat them while also protecting the public was in peril. It has been crickets since the death of labor commissioner Costello. Crickets,” said Kunzweiler. “The elected leaders of our state legislature need to make this a priority. Protecting our citizens is your job. Providing adequate infrastructure to safeguard all mentally ill citizens is your job. Stop putting a band-aid on a gaping wound. 30 years ago Oklahoma was in a better mental health state than where it is today. I know this state and I know its’ leaders can do a better job.”

Kunzweiler thanked all of the first responders and hospital staff who took such great care of him and his daughter.

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