MENTAL PATIENT ARRESTED FOR HATE CRIME, ARSON IN BURNING OF GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH IN EL CAJON

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By Miriam Raftery and Nadin Abbott

January 27, 2013 (El Cajon)- San Diego Sheriff today announced the arrest of Darin Williams in connection to an early morning fire that caused an estimated $250,000 in damage to St. Gregory of Nyssa Greek Orthodox Christian Church in the unincorporated area of El Cajon.  Williams s charged with arson, burglary and a hate crime, said Sergeant E. J. Dayitt.

The suspect was released last week from a psychiatric institution and became upset when the church’s priest, Simeon Corona, told him he could no longer stay at a parishioner’s home if he woud not take his medications,  U-T San Diego reports.  The priest called Williams, 38,  a “troubled man.”

Cal Fire/San Miguel Fire District Firefighters responded to the blaze after a resident living near the church spotted the fire and called 9-1-1 just before 4:00 a.m. In addition to Cal/Fire/San Miguel Fire District Firefighters, crews from Heartland Fire and Lakeside helped battle the fire, which took about 45 minutes to knock down. No one was reported inside the St. Gregory of Nyssa Greek Orthodox Christian Church at the time of the fire and there were no injuries.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Bomb/Arson Unit was called to investigate, as is customary in such incidents. Williams as identified as a person of interest and arrested today.

According to Mark Gliptis, a Church volunteer, this is a small congregation of 150 men, women and children. The fire could be “a blessing in disguise," he said, adding, "We have wanted to build up the church for a long time and people may now donate, now that others know we are here.”

Traffic was shut down temporarily while firefighters battled the blaze, said ECM photojournalist Paul Kruze, who lives in the area. 

Officials with the Church announced plans to move services to a garage since their worship hall is damaged.


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Comments

"mental patient"?!

In my opinion, it is inaccurate, unprofessional, and offensive to label a person as a "mental patient". An individual may be receiving treatment through a psychiatric facility, on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Using such terms as "mental patient" is inflammatory and perpetuates the stigma already contributing to the lack of accurate and compassionate public perspective. We no longer refer to the facilities that provide support to people with emotional, psychiatric, or behavioral health conditions as"mental hospitals" so why still use insensitive labels for those being served by these resources?

Every time a person is referred to by a mental health label, they are being dehumanized and lumped together under a very broad concept. I would be stunned if there is a single reader of this website who does not have regular interaction with several people who cope with psychological or psychiatric health concerns, at least some of whom are close friends or family. Thanks to HIPAA, these people have the right to privacy regarding this.

As Mr. Williams had not been convicted at the time of this article's posting, I find it disturbing that he is being stripped of his privacy before he is even arraigned, let alone convicted. I recognize that this site is not the only place doing so, but this article's title was upsetting to me. Whether or not Mr. Williams' alleged actions were a result of his mental health status remains for the experts to decide. Until and unless that happens, it is disturbing that his health conditions are being publicized. A very ill individual may still act based on rage, fear, passion, or impulse. Mr. Williams is a human being, made up of much more than any psychiatric condition he may have. Personally, as an individual coping with my own mental issues, I find it insulting to have the motives for my words and actions automatically attributed to my illness.

I absolutely do not excuse arson, but let's not condemn any suspect based on their mental health until the investigators and judge have determined the facts. If the arson was indeed a result of unsuccessfully treated psychiatric concerns, that should then be addressed. (I will refrain from indulging in a tyrade about over-crowded prisons and jails, and the under-served psychiatric needs within those facilities.)

Please, just consider the possibility that even if everything said about Mr. Williams in this article is true, he is still innocent in the eyes of the law at this time and deserves to be treated as such. The allegations being posted by the press will follow this man even if he is proven innocent. This applies to all of us, regardless of our private health concerns.

Support a media and judicial system by which you would want to be judged. Please visit NAMI.org to learn more about fighting the stigmas surrounding mental illness. (NAMI= National Alliance on Mental Illness) and how you can help or receive help.