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Florida Times-Union

February 8, 2004

Reprinted with permission of the author. All rights reserved.


LETTER
Baker Act: Reform is overdue

I strongly support the opinion that Baker Act reform is long overdue.

My brother, Alan Singletary, was the man who killed Seminole County Deputy Eugene Gregory in 1998.

Alan was diagnosed with a severe mental illness for 15 years before this tragedy occurred. Alan was well-known in the community for his friendliness and simple acts of kindness, but he also had periods of bizarre thoughts and behavior.

Alan had a treatable brain disorder. It was also a brain disorder that impaired his awareness of his need for medication and treatment.

While there are many people living successfully with mental illnesses, there are also those who are not. Some are homeless and in jail, victims of a brain disorder that destroys their quality of life.

ALICE PETREE

Sanford