Mark Thompson
@dementiainn.bsky.social
Criminal justice reform advocate for people with dementia.
It's hard to stand on principles when they conflict with social morality.
December 11, 2025 at 6:20 AM
It's hard to stand on principles when they conflict with social morality.
Dementia begins with the first sign of symptoms, but the underlying disease has been at work for far longer. Furthermore, symptoms vary as the human brain struggles to bypass the inoperative parts. This struggle amazes and confuses those of us watching.
September 20, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Dementia begins with the first sign of symptoms, but the underlying disease has been at work for far longer. Furthermore, symptoms vary as the human brain struggles to bypass the inoperative parts. This struggle amazes and confuses those of us watching.
Anosognosia is confusing.
September 9, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Anosognosia is confusing.
I believe it’s easier to consider the nature of Lewy Body Disease (under a microscope if necessary) than it is to escalate a common symptom to a crime. What we need is truth, and fundamental guiding principles; not empathetic overreach.
August 11, 2025 at 5:34 PM
I believe it’s easier to consider the nature of Lewy Body Disease (under a microscope if necessary) than it is to escalate a common symptom to a crime. What we need is truth, and fundamental guiding principles; not empathetic overreach.
My 77-year-old dad was jailed and expelled from his church because leaders and judges leaped to conclusions and about sexual behavior. Myths are created this way.
July 9, 2025 at 6:38 PM
My 77-year-old dad was jailed and expelled from his church because leaders and judges leaped to conclusions and about sexual behavior. Myths are created this way.
Sexual Boundaries were crossed resulting in injury and anger. In this case, the choice to blame either the victim or the perpetrator is strangely, a false dichotomy. One is a child of 8 years, and the other had Lewy Body Dementia. Inappropriate Sexual Behavior (ISB) is common to both states.
June 14, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Sexual Boundaries were crossed resulting in injury and anger. In this case, the choice to blame either the victim or the perpetrator is strangely, a false dichotomy. One is a child of 8 years, and the other had Lewy Body Dementia. Inappropriate Sexual Behavior (ISB) is common to both states.
Yes, you can criminalize dementia offending, but ask yourself which is better for the victim: being a victim of a monster, or a victim of a tragedy? So before you criminalize people with dementia, please consider what's best for the victim.
May 27, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Yes, you can criminalize dementia offending, but ask yourself which is better for the victim: being a victim of a monster, or a victim of a tragedy? So before you criminalize people with dementia, please consider what's best for the victim.
Death before dishonor? Huh? Dementia (Lewy Body, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, etc.) makes fools of 13 percent of people over the age of 70. Can someone please tell me what is dishonorable about brain damage? Is it because it affects behavior before it ultimately causes death? Am I understanding?
May 10, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Death before dishonor? Huh? Dementia (Lewy Body, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, etc.) makes fools of 13 percent of people over the age of 70. Can someone please tell me what is dishonorable about brain damage? Is it because it affects behavior before it ultimately causes death? Am I understanding?
Death before dishonor? I wish. However, dementia makes fools, and sometimes like my Dad, criminals, of 13 percent of people over the age of 70.
May 10, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Death before dishonor? I wish. However, dementia makes fools, and sometimes like my Dad, criminals, of 13 percent of people over the age of 70.
Using the Criminal Justice System to punish someone with dementia sends a message to the wrong people, and is not an effective form of deterrence. Only people who possess a significant appreciation for right and wrong will understand the message.
May 2, 2025 at 6:21 AM
Using the Criminal Justice System to punish someone with dementia sends a message to the wrong people, and is not an effective form of deterrence. Only people who possess a significant appreciation for right and wrong will understand the message.
When you look at a person who is standing on or near the abyss of dementia, your mind naturally tries to supply a structure of reason where none exists. Sadly, our laws encourage this. We need laws that better recognize mens rea and cognitive disability.
April 7, 2025 at 6:50 PM
When you look at a person who is standing on or near the abyss of dementia, your mind naturally tries to supply a structure of reason where none exists. Sadly, our laws encourage this. We need laws that better recognize mens rea and cognitive disability.
Reposted by Mark Thompson
Family of man with dementia files federal lawsuit after his 2023 death in Jefferson County Jail
Read more: https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/family-of-man-with-dementia-files-federal-lawsuit-after-his-2023-death-in-jefferson-county-jail
Read more: https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/family-of-man-with-dementia-files-federal-lawsuit-after-his-2023-death-in-jefferson-county-jail
February 22, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Family of man with dementia files federal lawsuit after his 2023 death in Jefferson County Jail
Read more: https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/family-of-man-with-dementia-files-federal-lawsuit-after-his-2023-death-in-jefferson-county-jail
Read more: https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/family-of-man-with-dementia-files-federal-lawsuit-after-his-2023-death-in-jefferson-county-jail
I wrote 1500 words (a 6 minute read) about the criminalization of dementia.
The Mens Rea Dog 2025a
docs.google.com
January 17, 2025 at 3:26 AM
I wrote 1500 words (a 6 minute read) about the criminalization of dementia.
Free speech hopefully moves the needle in the right direction. Sadly, this is not going to be a popular opinion, but it feels like truth to me.
December 20, 2024 at 12:14 AM
Free speech hopefully moves the needle in the right direction. Sadly, this is not going to be a popular opinion, but it feels like truth to me.
The McNaughten Rule has a very emotional and sensational history that adversely affects people with dementia.
April 2, 2024 at 5:03 AM
The McNaughten Rule has a very emotional and sensational history that adversely affects people with dementia.
One in every 330 people are listed on a sex offender registry. So if this teaches us anything, it's that we can't reasonably monsterize them all. Can't fear them all. Can't exile them all.
April 1, 2024 at 12:22 AM
One in every 330 people are listed on a sex offender registry. So if this teaches us anything, it's that we can't reasonably monsterize them all. Can't fear them all. Can't exile them all.
Strangely, the legal definition of competency is not the same as the medical definition of competency. Other than the 1963 Sidney Katz definition of Activities of Daily Living, there is no medical definition of competency.
March 30, 2024 at 2:11 PM
Strangely, the legal definition of competency is not the same as the medical definition of competency. Other than the 1963 Sidney Katz definition of Activities of Daily Living, there is no medical definition of competency.
The problem with the 1843 McNaughton Rule is that it incorrectly puts people with dementia in a high degree of culpability for criminal behavior. It would be better to follow the 1962 ALI penal code and look for "a substantial incapacity to appreciate right from wrong."
March 29, 2024 at 11:42 PM
The problem with the 1843 McNaughton Rule is that it incorrectly puts people with dementia in a high degree of culpability for criminal behavior. It would be better to follow the 1962 ALI penal code and look for "a substantial incapacity to appreciate right from wrong."
I read an alarming statistic the other day. It said one in three children born today will experience dementia later in life. While medically preventing that may or may not be possible – that is what the Alzheimer’s Society and others are working on – my message is that
January 4, 2024 at 3:01 AM
I read an alarming statistic the other day. It said one in three children born today will experience dementia later in life. While medically preventing that may or may not be possible – that is what the Alzheimer’s Society and others are working on – my message is that
Before a judge is allowed to pass sentence on people with dementia, I would require his honor to walk around for a day with his shirt on backwards, or his underwear on the outside of his pants. "Yes, sir. They SHOULD know better, but the disease doesn't allow them to. You understand, don't you?"
January 1, 2024 at 2:17 AM
Before a judge is allowed to pass sentence on people with dementia, I would require his honor to walk around for a day with his shirt on backwards, or his underwear on the outside of his pants. "Yes, sir. They SHOULD know better, but the disease doesn't allow them to. You understand, don't you?"
Gimme the data! "The stored-up strength of a nation,” as Churchill put it, “can be measured in its treatment of crime and criminals.” We owe it to our history to measure our use of strict liability in ignoring mens rea. A nation should provide an account of how it treats people with dementia.
December 29, 2023 at 12:23 AM
Gimme the data! "The stored-up strength of a nation,” as Churchill put it, “can be measured in its treatment of crime and criminals.” We owe it to our history to measure our use of strict liability in ignoring mens rea. A nation should provide an account of how it treats people with dementia.