A while back I mentioned that I had access to documents written on my parent’s computer from other people. Well, this is one of those documents. A few of you may be able to guess from the context clues who this is about. Kudos to you if you can. I have removed names, ID numbers, and addresses, where appropriate.

March 17, 1996

The Honorable H. N. McElroy
Harris County Courthouse Annex
6831 Cypresswood Drive
Spring, Texas 77379

Re:
DOB
TDL
Citation #Txxxxxx

Dear Judge McElroy:

On Friday, March 15, 1996, we accompanied our son to the Denton, Texas, Drivers License Office to renew and obtain a duplicate license. He was informed there was a warrant for his arrest, originating in Harris County, apparently in connection with a speeding ticket received in November or December, 1994.

Previous to his receiving the speeding ticket, he had a psychotic episode which resulted in his being admitted to the Houston Northwest Medical Center Hospital-Psychiatric Unit. Dr. John Dale advised us at that time of the possible diagnosis of schizophrenia. After his release and subsequent medication and counseling treatments, our son moved from our home and discontinued his treatments. It was during this period he received the citation in question.

At the time he received the citation, he was taken into custody at the Harris County jail in downtown Houston. The reason for that action was not clear to us and he has not been able to clarify the situation. To the best of our knowledge, he remained in custody for almost 24 hours.

Several weeks later he moved back to Denton where he had attended the University of North Texas the two previous years. He remained in Denton until May, when he became mentally unstable and returned to Houston and was admitted to the Harris County Psychiatric Center for two weeks.

He then moved back to Denton, where he attended summer classes at UNT, until a mental health crisis in August, at which time he was moved by the Denton County MHMR to the Wichita Falls State Hospital, where a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia was made.

He remained at WFSH for almost seven months, from August 24, 1995, until his release last week on March 13, 1996. After his release he returned to Denton where he is attempting to reestablish his place in society and return to school.

He is currently taking anti-psychotic and anti-depressant medications to control his psychotic episodes and is under the care and supervision of the Denton County MHMR. He is unemployed and homeless, living at the Denton Gospel Mission until a MHMR caseworker is assigned and housing arrangements can be made.

He lost all forms of identification and it was for this reason we traveled to Denton to help him apply for a new social security card and drivers license so he would be able to apply for a job and eventually return to school.

According to the message received by the Denton Drivers License Office, four warrants were outstanding, including two for failure to appear, totaling $450.00. At the time of the citation he was not on medication for his illness, which leaves him with impaired thinking. He probably did not realize he needed to return to court, and no notices were received at our address - and we understand from your offices no such notices were sent. Had we have been aware of the situation, we would have attempted to have this taken care of before this late date.

In view of the circumstances, we ask that the charges be dropped. Our son is unemployed and we are financially unable to make such a payment for him.

Your consideration and understanding would be sincerely appreciated.

Very truly yours,