Disability Advocates Chide Md. 1st Response Panel

The Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities is criticizing a state commission that was formed in response to the death in custody of a man with Down syndrome.

A center representative expressed concern Thursday in Silver Spring that the group's initial progress report last week did not mention possible legislation mandating disability awareness training for first responders.

The issue arose in the first of four listening sessions the commission is holding around the state before making its recommendations.

Twenty-six-year-old Robert Ethan Saylor died of asphyxia last January as three mall security officers tried to remove him from a Frederick movie theater because he hadn't purchased a ticket for a repeat viewing.

His death was ruled a homicide but a Frederick County grand jury refused to indict the officers.
 

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