Latson

They said Latson - in whom intermittent explosive disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder had also been diagnosed - could not control his behavior because of an "irresistible impulse."

In Va. assault case, anxious parents recognize 'dark side of autism' 2011

On the morning of the confrontation, Latson's mother said, he slipped out of the house early to go to the library.

In Va. assault case, anxious parents recognize 'dark side of autism' 2011

He squeezed the front pocket area of Latson's sweat shirt and lifted it to check for a gun.

In Va. assault case, anxious parents recognize 'dark side of autism' 2011

Calverley said he asked the teenager his name several times and, after the teen refused to give it, he grabbed Latson, told him that he was under arrest and bent him over the hood of a car.

In Va. assault case, anxious parents recognize 'dark side of autism' 2011

But why Latson - who has Asperger's syndrome, a relatively mild form of autism - did it and whether he could have stopped himself played a central role in his defense and has engaged the sympathy of parents in the Washington region and beyond.

In Va. assault case, anxious parents recognize 'dark side of autism' 2011

Champion had sat through the trial for days and couldn't help drawing parallels between the defendant, Reginald "Neli" Latson, 19, and her son James, a 17-year-old with autism.

In Va. assault case, anxious parents recognize 'dark side of autism' 2011

They said Latson - in whom intermittent explosive disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder had also been diagnosed - could not control his behavior because of an "irresistible impulse."

In Va. assault case, anxious parents recognize 'dark side of autism' 2011

Champion had sat through the trial for days and couldn't help drawing parallels between the defendant, Reginald "Neli" Latson, 19, and her son James, a 17-year-old with autism.

In Va. assault case, anxious parents recognize 'dark side of autism' 2011

Champion had sat through the trial for days and couldn't help drawing parallels between the defendant, Reginald "Neli" Latson, 19, and her son James, a 17-year-old with autism.

In Va. assault case, anxious parents recognize 'dark side of autism' 2011

But why Latson - who has Asperger's syndrome, a relatively mild form of autism - did it and whether he could have stopped himself played a central role in his defense and has engaged the sympathy of parents in the Washington region and beyond.

In Va. assault case, anxious parents recognize 'dark side of autism' 2011