UPDATE:
Allen Bethea wants his case moved to mental health court. Court records show he has been diagnosed with a mood congruent psychotic disorder.
The former poll worker accused of pulling a handgun on another poll worker while working Ohio's primary election.
We don't know many specifics about the diagnosis, but his attorney Michael Wolpert gave some details about the incident in a motion filed in the court.
"This illness is particularly relevant in this case since the incident took place in an election place where the defendant perceived that fellow poll workers were calling him derogatory names," Wolport wrote.
The diagnosis and motion won't affect whether or not he's convicted, but he could be ordered to undergo treatment for the mental illness.
Bethea has since been fired from his poll worker job, and it's unknown whether he could be reinstated in light on his diagnosis.
(
Hat Tip cleveland.com)
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UPDATE:
Allen Bethea, 45, was in court Thursday after allegedly pulling a handgun on another court worker and marijuana possession.
Bethea pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor marijuana abuse charge, but did not enter a plea for the charge of violating concealed weapons laws.
Poll workers at Louisa May Alcott School say the altercation occurred after Bethea argued with another worker about the proper way to help disabled voters. That's when they say he pulled out a gun and began threatening poll workers.
Judge Emanuela Groves set his bond at $10,000.
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A poll worker was arrested after brandishing a handgun at a poll station Tuesday afternoon. So, Cleveland's primary Tuesday is off to a rolling start.
The incident happened at Louisa May Alcott School on Baltic Road at around 12 p.m. Police say the worker got into an argument with another poll worker and pulled a .380 pistol out of his backpack.
The man didn't point the gun at anyone, but faces aggravated menacing, carrying concealed weapon and having weapons under a disability charges. He also faces a charge of marijuana possession. He initially ran away from the polling station but was later arrested at West 107th Street and Detroit Avenue.
The man has yet to be formally charged for the incident, however the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections says the man has been fired.
(
Hat Tip cleveland.com)