Michael Buckholz, seeking a fresh start in Tulsa after a history of incarceration, faced wrongful termination from his job when a background check revealed a warrant for someone with a similar name. Despite his attempts to take responsibility for his past and maintain a sober life since 2014, the confusion arose from a different individual who had committed crimes while suffering from schizophrenia. The situation highlights issues around misidentification and the challenges faced by those with mental health disorders in the justice system.
"I am 100% taking responsibility and accountability for my actions and behavior. I just want to be able to work on being a productive member of the community instead of a menace."
"I’ve taken responsibility for my life and have lived sober and crime-free since my release in 2014. They said, 'Hey, you got to get this fixed'"
"The warrant had Buckholz's name on it. But police were looking for a different man... named William Pixler, 18 years his junior diagnosed with schizophrenia."
"Body camera footage later obtained by his attorney shows officers debating whether to take Pixler to a nearby psychiatric hospital."
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