(Nov. 6, 2014) A stone monument of the Ten Commandments that has been the subject of much controversy since its placement at the Oklahoma statehouse several years ago was once again propelled into the spotlight last month.
Michael Reed, 29, broke it into several pieces when he drove his car onto the grounds of the statehouse.
Reed’s actions were “an act of violence,” said state Representative Mike Ritze, who donated the monument to the state’s capitol.
But Reed’s actions were not an act of violence, rather they were the result of his mental illness, Reed’s family told reporter Jacylyn Cosgrove (“Oklahoma man accused of damaging Ten Commandments monument struggles with mental illness, family says,” News Oklahoma, Nov. 3).
“His mind is broken,” Reed’s mother said.
In the year prior to the incident, Reed’s behavior had become increasingly erratic, his family told Cosgrove. He started smoking and hoarding and became increasingly religious. He isolated himself in his bedroom for long periods of time and rarely talked to anyone.
Following an incident where Reed attempted to shut down the electricity for an entire building by locking himself inside, Reed was taken to a psychiatric hospital and prescribed medication for schizophrenia. When he was on medication, he was as “close to himself as he had been in months,” his sister said.
But without insurance the medicine cost $900, which neither Reed nor his family could afford.
Months later, just days prior to the incident and off of his medication, Reed told his sister he heard God speaking to him.
Reed said the devil made him drive his car into the monument.
Reed is currently at a psychiatric facility where doctors are working to stabilize him.
Reed’s mother says she is thankful he is not in jail.
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