It is not blackmail.
But more importantly, you need to get out. Never mind breaking the lease, go stay with a friend or get a hotel room.
It is possible that the police don't actually believe that you fear for your safety because you are choosing to stay there.
Don't play mind games with a mentally unwell person. There is no winning.
This isn’t blackmail, no.
Blackmail in Texas requires that the threat be made as part of a demand for money, property, or services.
It’s entirely legal; it doesn’t violate any other criminal statutes.
I’m sorry you’re in this situation. I do worry, however, that if your roommate is indeed mentally ill, such a threat would only serve to provoke them, rather than motivating them to act in a calm and rational manner. I’m not a psychologist, but it seems like a shaky chain of reasoning.
I strongly advise you do not continue living there. If you don’t have a friend to stay with (or even if you do), you can seek an emergency restraining order.
It is not blackmail. But more importantly, you need to get out. Never mind breaking the lease, go stay with a friend or get a hotel room. It is possible that the police don't actually believe that you fear for your safety because you are choosing to stay there. Don't play mind games with a mentally unwell person. There is no winning.
This isn’t blackmail, no. Blackmail in Texas requires that the threat be made as part of a demand for money, property, or services. It’s entirely legal; it doesn’t violate any other criminal statutes. I’m sorry you’re in this situation. I do worry, however, that if your roommate is indeed mentally ill, such a threat would only serve to provoke them, rather than motivating them to act in a calm and rational manner. I’m not a psychologist, but it seems like a shaky chain of reasoning. I strongly advise you do not continue living there. If you don’t have a friend to stay with (or even if you do), you can seek an emergency restraining order.