DeKalb County Probate Court Judge Bedelia Hargrove said she had no idea that when she began organizing a mental health symposium several months ago, it would be conducted less than two weeks after a jury convicted a police officer of aggravated assault in the shooting death of a naked, mentally ill man.

"It was a complete coincidence" said Hargrove, who initially planned to holding symposium at a smaller venue but gladly accepted when told the Manuel Maloof Auditorium, which also serves as the meeting room for the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, was available.

It was a good decision: there were no open seats left for Friday's symposium, which included a number of judges, lawyers and mental health professionals as panelists. Attorneys attending were eligible for continuing education credits, but the audience also included many nonlawyers, including service providers, mental health advocates and activists.