CLARK v. ARIZONA: INTERVIEW NATIONAL EXPERT ON TREATMENT LAWS FOR MENTALLY ILL
U.S. Supreme Court ruling on insanity defense expected June 29

THE STORY: Eric Clark, a young man with untreated schizophrenia, believed aliens had invaded Flagstaff, Arizona. Clark’s brain disease prevented him from understanding that he was ill. His delusions led him to shoot and kill police officer Jeff Moritz during a traffic stop in June 2002. Clark is now in prison and his case is being heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Clark had been exhibiting symptoms of severe paranoia for years before the shooting. His family was unable to access long-term treatment for him, despite many attempts.

WHY IT MATTERS: The Court is considering a direct challenge to the insanity defense for the first time in more than 25 years. TAC filed an amicus brief on the case.

TAC executive director Mary Zdanowicz: “The question for the Court is whether there will be a safety net or a dragnet waiting when the mentally ill slip through the loopholes in this country’s civil commitment laws and practices. Untreated symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations significantly increase the risk of violence. But, it can be virtually impossible to get early and sustained treatment for the mentally ill who refuse help until they are dangerous – which is often too late. Unless this changes, no net will be big enough to catch all of the mentally ill who fall through the cracks.”

TALK TO: To arrange an interview with Ms. Zdanowicz on the Court’s ruling and what it means for treating the mentally ill, call 703 294 6008.

Full press kit on Clark v. Arizona available at www.psychlaws.org.

The Treatment Advocacy Center (www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating barriers to the timely and effective treatment of severe mental illnesses. TAC promotes laws, policies, and practices for the delivery of psychiatric care and supports the development of innovative treatments for and research into the causes of severe and persistent psychiatric illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

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