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Mark Ackley, the attorney representing Oregon man Matthew Lehigh, said that Lehigh is “not a poster child for homophobia,” but that he is “a poster child for mental health.”
Ackley said that Lehigh is diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, which he said previously caused him to experience delusions, convulsions and twitching, and that his mental health condition exaggerated his Christian beliefs. In order to proceed in court, he had to undergo competency restoration, is now on medication and has gained weight.
“I have a lot of regret for what happened,” Lehigh said in court. “I would have never guessed years ago that I would be here facing charges like this. I’ve always held a Christian view, but I’ve never had any problems existing in a community.”
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