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This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

Mental evaluation defies sense

We were in Tucson when this horrific event (“Loughner is declared mentally incompetent”) happened and I’m having trouble with the psychiatric examiners’ findings. It devastated the community.

So let me understand.

He was competent enough to escape from his father before the shooting.

He was competent enough to rent a motel room.

He was competent enough to call a taxi and go in and get change to pay him.

He was competent enough to know where and when the gathering was happening with Congresswoman Giffords. He was competent enough to buy a 30-round magazine and obviously use it. But now, all of a sudden, he’s not competent? Give me a break!

Rick Davis

Spokane

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