Wampum Progressive Politics, Indian Issues, and Autism Advocacy Main September 11, 2004 Paying Attention There is a lot to pay attention to right now. The third anniversary of 9/11 is upon us. The election is less than two months away. We have passed 1000 dead Americans in Iraq. The third hurricane of the season is bearing down on Florida. All of those issues are important but I do not wish to discuss any of them right now. Instead, I would like to call your attention to the sad story of one James Monroe Mims. James Monroe Mims is a 53 year old, mentally ill Texan. In 1978, Mims was involved in a "domestic standoff" in which he allegedly shot at two Dallas Police officers. He was charged with two counts of attempted muder. I surmise from the brief news stories that he shot but did not kill the officers. Mims was never tried on those charges as the Texas courts found him to be mentally incompetent to stand trial. Mims suffers from schizophrenia. As a result of his incompetence, Mins was confined at the Terrell State Hospital where he has remained for the last 26 years. A finding of incompetence to stand trial is not a final determination. Should a criminal defendant regain competence, he may still be put on trial for the underlying crime. Accordingly, at various times over the last 26 years, Mims was brought before the court for a hearing to determine whether or not he was able to stand trial. He has always been found to remain incompetent due to his mental illness. | |
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