STATE v OLSON

Annotate this Case

Download PDF

No. 14533 IN THE: SUPREME C O W OF THE STA'IE OF I'43NTANA 1979 STATE OF PDNTANA, Plaintiff and Respondent, -VS- RAYI'mJD L OLSON, . Deferdant and Appellant. Appeal f m ; District Court of the Nineteenth Judicial District, . Honorable R o b e r t M Holter, Judge presiding. Counsel of Record: For Appellant: R T Randono, Great Falls, bbntana . . For Respondent: Hon. Mike Greely, Attorney General, Helena, mntana Allen Chronister argued, Assistant Attorney General, Helena, Mxkana William A Douglas, County Attorney, Libby, mntana . Submitted: March 26, 1979 Decided: Filed: 1 3 - t * Mr. J u s t i c e J o h n C. Sheehy d e l i v e r e d t h e O p i n i o n o f t h e C o u r t . T h i s a p p e a l i s t a k e n from a judgment d e n y i n g O l s o n ' s p e t i t i o n f o r r e l e a s e from t h e S t a t e H o s p i t a l i n Warm S p r i n g s . F i n d i n g s o f f a c t , c o n c l u s i o n s of law and judgment w e r e e n t e r e d on August 1 4 , 1978, i n t h e D i s t r i c t C o u r t o f L i n c o l n County by t h e H o n o r a b l e R o b e r t M. Holter. I n 1969 Olson w a s c h a r g e d w i t h two c o u n t s o f r a p e . He g a v e n o t i c e o f i n t e n t t o r e l y on t h e d e f e n s e o f i n s a n i t y . The c a s e was s u b m i t t e d t o t h e j u r y and a g u i l t y v e r d i c t was returned. On a p p e a l t h e judgments w e r e r e v e r s e d and a new t r i a l was o r d e r e d . S t a t e v . Olson ( 1 9 7 1 ) , 156 Mont. 339, 480 P.2d 822. B e f o r e t h e s e c o n d t r i a l t h e judge f o u n d Olson " n o t g u i l t y " by r e a s o n o f i n s a n i t y and o r d e r e d him committed t o t h e S t a t e H o s p i t a l on March 1 8 , 1971. The committment o r d e r r e f e r r e d t o t h e d e p o s i t i o n s and t e s t i m o n y o f D r s . I4iguel F. G r a c i a and R o b e r t A. W e t z l e r , q u a l i f i e d p s y c h i a t r i s t s who had examined Olson. I n 1972 O l s o n walked away from t h e Warm S p r i n g s f a c i l i t y and went t o G r e a t F a l l s . From 1972 u n t i l 1977 Olson l i v e d i n G r e a t F a l l s w i t h h i s w i f e and f a m i l y . H e obtained a j o b , had a t e l e p h o n e d i r e c t o r y l i s t i n g , and a d r i v e r ' s l i c e n s e a l l u n d e r h i s own name. H e joined both a l o c a l u n i o n and t h e l o c a l c h a p t e r o f t h e Moose Lodge, a g a i n u s i n g his own name. On F e b r u a r y 1 7 , 1 9 7 7 , a n o r d e r was e n t e r e d f o r t h e i s s u a n c e o f a bench w a r r a n t d i r e c t i n g : " I T I S HEREBY ORDERED: " T h a t Bench W a r r a n t i s s u e f o r t h e a r r e s t of t h e c a p t i o n e d D e f e n d a n t , Raymond LeRoy O l s o n , and t h a t for he forthwith be returned t o t h i s Court - purposes of - d e t e r m i n i n g w h e t h e r h e s h o u l d b e r e l e a s e d from c u s t o d y - -r m s p r i n g s S t a t e ~ o s z t a w i t h o u t B a i l . " of W a l (Emphasis added. ) O l s o n ' s p e r i o d o f r e s i d e n c e i n Great F a l l s was n o t completely without i n c i d e n t . I n September o r O c t o b e r of 1976 Olson u n e x p e c t e d l y a p p e a r e d i n t h e bedroom o f o n e K a r l a White a t a b o u t 2:00 o r 3:00 a.m. w h i l e s h e was s l e e p i n g . Olson l e f t when t o l d t o , a l t h o u g h , a s t h e S t a t e c o n t e n d s , t h e p r e s e n c e of W h i t e ' s male companion may have h a s t e n e d h i s retreat. A y e a r l a t e r on September 1, 1977, Olson a s s a u l t e d t h e same woman i n t h e e a r l y morning h o u r s . In this attack, Olson g r a b b e d W h i t e , knocked h e r down, and shoved h e r f a c e i n t o t h e c o n c r e t e , t h r e a t e n i n g t o b r e a k h e r neck. Olson a p p a r e n t l y d i d t r y t o s n a p W h i t e ' s neck b e f o r e d r a g g i n g h e r off i n t o a vacant f i e l d . Although t h e r e was no s e x u a l a s s a u l t , O l s o n ' s c o n t i n u i n g p h y s i c a l a s s a u l t was i n t e r r u p t e d o n l y by t h e a r r i v a l o f t h e p o l i c e . Olson claims h e was u p s e t o v e r W h i t e ' s t r e a t m e n t of h e r ex-husband, friend. 3lson's T h i s i n c i d e n t l e d t o O l s o n ' s a r r e s t and b e i n g c h a r g e d w i t h misdemeanor a s s a u l t and u n l a w f u l r e s t r a i n t . The c h a r g e s w e r e u l t i m a t e l y d i s m i s s e d . A l t h o u g h t h e o r d e r o f F e b r u a r y 1 7 , 1977, d i r e c t e d t h a t t h e r e b e a h e a r i n g t o d e t e r m i n e O l s o n ' s s t a t u s and a l t h o u g h h e was t a k e n t o K a l i s p e l l and h e l d i n j a i l f o r a t l e a s t a week, t h e r e was no h e a r i n g and h e was r e t u r n e d summarily t o the S t a t e Hospital. On December 27, 1977, Olson p e t i t i o n e d f o r r e l e a s e . He was s u b s e q u e n t l y examined by D r . Hamilton C . Pierce and D r . George G e l e r n t e r , b o t h q u a l i f i e d p s y c h i a t r i s t s , whose rep o r t s w e r e i n t r o d u c e d a s e x h i b i t s a t t h e h e a r i n g on August 3, 1978. I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e s e e v a l u a t i o n s , Olson and h i s w i f e t e s t i f i e d and 35 l e t t e r s of p e r s o n a l r e f e r e n c e from O l s o n ' s s u p e r v i s o r s , co-workers, a s exhibits without objection. and f r i e n d s were i n t r o d u c e d Finally, an interim s o c i a l h i s t o r y and a m e n t a l s t a t u s e x a m i n a t i o n r e p o r t and e v a l u a t i o n p r e p a r e d d u r i n g O l s o n ' s c o n f i n e m e n t a t Warm S p r i n g s i n l a t e 1977 w e r e s u b m i t t e d on O l s o n ' s b e h a l f . The s u b s t a n c e o f t h e s e r e p o r t s a s w e l l as o f t h e e v a l u a t i o n s by t h e two p r i v a t e p s y c h i a t r i s t s was t h a t Olson s u f f e r e d no m e n t a l i l l n e s s and s h o u l d b e r e l e a s e d . The S t a t e , i n o p p o s i n g t h e 2 e t i t i o n f o r r e l e a s e , i n t r o duced p a r t s o f t h e p s y c h i a t r i c e v i d e n c e from t h e 1970 r a p e t r i a l , s p e c i f i c a l l y t h e testimony of D r . Wetzler, along with t e s t i m o n y from K a r l a W h i t e , t h e woman O l s o n a l l e g e d l y a t t a c k e d i n 1977. The D i s t r i c t C o u r t d e n i e d O l s o n ' s p e t i t i o n c i t i n g i n i t s f i n d i n g s t h e t e s t i m o n y o f D r . W e t z l e r i n 1970 t h a t Olson had a " g r a v e d e f e c t , a g r a v e i l l n e s s , " t h a t t h e two i n c i d e n t s i n v o l v i n g K a r l a White were s i m i l a r t o t h e o r i g i n a l r a p e s , and t h a t O l s o n had r e c e i v e d no p s y c h i a t r i c t r e a t m e n t s i n c e 1972. The f i n a l f i n d i n g and c o n c l u s i o n o f t h e D i s - t r i c t C o u r t were: "5. T h a t t h i s D e f e n d a n t i s now s u f f e r i n g from a m e n t a l d i s e a s e o r d e f e c t which r e n d e r s him u n a b l e t o c o n t r o l h i m s e l f a t t i m e s a n d which r e s u l t s i n h i s b e i n g a d a n g e r t o t h e p e r s o n of o t h e r s . " [ C o n c l u s i o n s o f Law] T h a t t h e P e t i t i o n of t h e D e f e n d a n t f o r r e l e a s e from t h e Montana S t a t e Nosp i t a 1 s h o u l d be d e n i e d by r e a s o n of t h e f a c t t h a t t h i s Defendant remains a danger t o t h e person of others." O l s o n w a s o r d e r e d r e t u r n e d t o W a r m S p r i n g s S t a t e Hospital. From t h e d e n i a l o f h i s p e t i t i o n , O l s o n a p p e a l s . Olson b r o a d l y a s s e r t s t h a t t h e i s s u e f o r r e v i e w i s whether t h e D i s t r i c t Court e r r e d i n denying h i s p e t i t i o n . The S t a t e b r e a k s t h i s i s s u e down and a d d r e s s e s t h e p o i n t s Olson pursues: 1. Whether t h e t r a n s c r i p t o f D r . W e t z l e r ' s t e s t i m o n y from t h e p r i o r t r i a l was a d m i s s i b l e . 2. Whether t h e D i s t r i c t C o u r t c o u l d r e l y on t h e t e s t i - mony of t h e woman Olson a l l e g e d l y a t t a c k e d . 3. Whether t h e e v i d e n c e was s u f f i c i e n t t o s u p p o r t t h e D i s t r i c t C o u r t ' s judgment. By t h i s a p p e a l from t h e d e n i a l o f h i s p e t i t i o n f o r release, O l s o n s p e c i f i c a l l y c h a l l e n g e s t h e u s e o f t h e t e s t i mony of two w i t n e s s e s by t h e lower c o u r t : (1) t h e t r a n - s c r i b e d t e s t i m o n y o f D r . W e t z l e r a s g i v e n i n O l s o n ' s 1970 r a p e t r i a l ; and ( 2 ) t h e t e s t i m o n y o f K a r l a White a s t o two W e w i l l consider t h e i n c i d e n t s i n v o l v i n g h e r and Olson. testimony of each s e p a r a t e l y . Testimony o f -. W e t z l e r . - Dr This testimony a s presented t o t h e D i s t r i c t C o u r t by t h e S t a t e c o n s i s t e d e x c l u s i v e l y o f t h e t r a n s c r i p t of Wetzler's testimony a t Olson's t r i a l i n 1970. T h i s t e s t i m o n y was b a s e d on W e t z l e r ' s two-hour i n a t i o n o f O l s o n i n J a n u a r y 1970. exam- Wetzler has neither examined Olson s i n c e 1970, f i l e d any s o r t o f u p d a t e d e v a l u a t i o n , n o r d i d h e a p p e a r a t t h e h e a r i n g on O l s o n ' s p e t i t i o n . I n s h o r t , t h i s t r a n s c r i b e d testimony r e l a t e s t o Olson's m e n t a l c o n d i t i o n a s o f J a n u a r y 1970. O l s o n p e t i t i o n e d f o r r e l e a s e u n d e r s e c t i o n 95-508, R.C.M. 1947, now s e c t i o n s 46-14-301 t h r o u g h -304 MCA, which e s t a b l i s h e s t h e p r o c e d u r e f o r commitment t o and r e l e a s e from t h e S t a t e H o s p i t a l a t Warm S p r i n g s f o l l o w i n g a c q u i t t a l on t h e ground o f m e n t a l d i s e a s e o r d e f e c t . The p r o v i s i o n s o f t h a t s e c t i o n c l e a r l y c a l l f o r a determination of t h e mental c o n d i t i o n of a committed p e r s o n a s o f t h e t i m e o f t h e p e t i - t i o n f o r release. E.g., s e c t i o n 95-508(1) determine h i s p r e s e n t mental c o n d i t i o n " ) , (hearing " t o (2) (requiring the a p p o i n t m e n t o f two p s y c h i a t r i s t s t o examine t h e p e r s o n a f t e r t h e f i l i n g of a p e t i t i o n ) , now s e c t i o n s 46-14-301(2) 1 4 - 3 0 2 ( 2 ) MCA. Accord, Rouse v . Cameron ( D . C . Cir. a n d 461966), 373 F.2d 451, 461 n. 43; S t a t e v . C u v e l i e r ( 1 9 7 8 ) , 1 7 5 Conn. 1 0 0 , 394 A.2d 1 8 5 , 189; S t a t e v . F i e l d s ( 1 9 7 8 ) , 77 N . J . 282, 390 A.2d 574, 585; P e o p l e v . G i l e s (Colo. 1 9 7 6 ) , 557 P.2d 408, 411-12. While p e r h a p s t h i s C o u r t h a s n o t d e c i d e d t h e e x a c t q u e s t i o n p r e s e n t e d by O l s o n , we h a v e d e c i d e d t h a t e v i d e n c e o f m e n t a l c o n d i t i o n a s o f s e v e r a l y e a r s b e f o r e t h e comviss i o n o f a crime, S t a t e v . Nee1 ( 1 9 7 8 ) , P.2d 456, 459, 35 St.Rep. Mon t . , 580 833, 837, o r a s o f s e v e r a l y e a r s a f t e r t h e commission o f a crime, S t a t e e x r e l . Main v . D i s t r i c t C o u r t ( 1 9 7 4 ) , 164 Mont. 501, 508-09, 525 P.2d 28, 32, i s n o t s u f f i c i e n t e v i d e n c e o f m e n t a l c o n d i t i o n a t t h e t i m e o f t h e commission o f a c r i m e . The r e v e r s e i s a l s o t r u e : e v i d e n c e o f m e n t a l c o n d i t i o n a t t h e t i m e o f t h e comm i s s i o n o f a c r i m e i s n o t s u f f i c i e n t e v i d e n c e of m e n t a l c o n d i t i o n some e i g h t y e a r s l a t e r upon p e t i t i o n f o r r e l e a s e . Powell v. F l o r i d a ( 5 t h C i r . 1 9 7 8 ) , 579 F.2d 324, 330. W e a r e r e l u c t a n t , however, t o hold t h a t testimony of m e n t a l c o n d i t i o n a t t h e commission of a crime i s a l w a y s i n a d m i s s i b l e on t h e q u e s t i o n of m e n t a l c o n d i t i o n a t some p o i n t l a t e r upon p e t i t i o n f o r r e l e a s e . F o r example, u n d e r s e c t i o n 9 5 - 5 0 8 ( 1 ) , now s e c t i o n 46-14-301(2) MCA, a person committed t o Warm S p r i n g s S t a t e H o s p i t a l f o l l o w i n g a c q u i t t a l i s e n t i t l e d t o a h e a r i n g w i t h i n 50 d a y s of c o n f i n e m e n t t o determine h i s p r e s e n t mental condition. I n s u c h cases, t h e e a r l i e r t e s t i m o n y may b e h e l p f u l t o t h e D i s t r i c t C o u r t i n e v a l u a t i n g t h e a c q u i t t e e ' s mental h e a l t h . ( 1 9 7 8 ) , 62 I l l . A p p . 3 d 782, 379 N.E.2d P e o p l e v . Turner 377, 379-80. A s the i n t e r v a l between t h e o r i g i n a l e v a l u a t i o n and t h e s u b s e q u e n t p e t i t i o n f o r r e l e a s e l e n g t h e n s , however, t h i s e a r l i e r t e s t i mony l o s e s i t s p r o b a t i v e v a l u e . I n t h i s c a s e , where e i g h t y e a r s e l a p s e d between t h e o r i g i n a l e v a l u a t i o n and t h e subs e q u e n t p e t i t i o n f o r r e l e a s e , w i t h no i n t e r v e n i n g examinat i o n by t h e w i t n e s s , t h e p r o b a t i v e v a l u e of t h e e a r l i e r t e s t i m o n y of t h e w i t n e s s i n judging t h e p r e s e n t m e n t a l c o n d i t i o n of Olson i s q u e s t i o n a b l e . Our c o n c l u s i o n i s s t r e n g t h e n e d by t h e o t h e r t e s t i m o n y and e v i d e n c e i n t h e r e c o r d b e f o r e t h e D i s t r i c t C o u r t . I n c l u d e d i n t h i s e v i d e n c e w e r e e v a l u a t i o n s o f Olson by o t h e r p s y c h i a t r i s t s o r psychologists. These e v a l u a t i o n s , c o n t r a r y t o t h a t of D r . W e t z l e r , were based on e x a m i n a t i o n s o f Olson i n l a t e 1977 and e a r l y 1978 a f t e r h i s r e t u r n t o Warn S p r i n g s . The l a t e r e v a l u a t i o n s a r e unanimous i n t h e i r f i n d i n g s t h a t Olson no l o n g e r s u f f e r s from any m e n t a l d i s e a s e o r d e f e c t and t h a t h e s h o u l d b e r e l e a s e d from c o n f i n e m e n t a t Warm Springs. Thus, i n t h e words of D r . Hamilton P i e r c e : " I n summary, I s e e no e v i d e n c e of m e n t a l i l l n e s s i n t h i s p a t i e n t and I d o u b t i f h e e v e r h a s had m e n t a l i l l n e s s t o t h e degree t h a t could be considered a H e i s an i m c a u s e of h i s a n t i s o c i a l a c t i v i t i e s . p u l s i v e p e r s o n and h e h a s r e l a t i v e l y weak c o n t r o l s which a r e weakened more by h i s tendency t o d r i n k . I do n o t s e e him a s m e n t a l l y ill now o r i n t h e p a s t . " Dr. George G e l e r n t e r , a l s o of G r e a t F a l l s , concluded: "At t h i s p o i n t , I f i n d no e v i d e n c e of s e r i o u s emotional illness. Incarceration a t t h e S t a t e Hospital would seem t o s e r v e no p u r p o s e o t h e r t h a n c u s t o d i a l , s i n c e t h e r e i s no ' t r e a t m e n t ' f a c i l i t y t h e r e t h a t would b e m e a n i n g f u l t o him. I f t h e l e g a l asp e c t s of h i s c h a r g e s r e q u i r e d i n c a r c e r a t i o n , i t would s e e m more a p p r o p r i a t e a t t h e S t a t e P r i s o n i n D e e r Lodge i f t h e p u r p o s e i s p u r e l y i n c a r c e r a t i o n . " F i n a l l y , t h e D i s t r i c t C o u r t had b e f o r e i t a p a c k e t o f e v a l u a t i o n s p r e p a r e d by t h e p s y c h i a t r i c s t a f f a t Warm Springs. I n t h e s e e v a l u a t i o n s , t h e examining s o c i a l w o r k e r , " q u e s t i o n [ e d ] t h e a p p r o p r i a t e n e s s of incarceration." [Olson's] c u r r e n t The d i s c h a r g e summary s i g n e d by D r . Harry Xanthopoulos and o t h e r s s t a t e s : " S i g n i f i c a n t Findings: " I t was t h e f i n d i n g s of t h e F o r e n s i c Region team t h a t he was s u f f e r i n g from no m e n t a l d i s o r d e r and t h a t h e was n o t a p p r o p r i a t e l y i n t h e h o s p i t a l . . ." The f i n a l d i a g n o s i s o f Olson by t h e s t a f f a t t h e S t a t e H o s p i t a l s t a t e s t h a t h e h a s no m e n t a l d i s o r d e r . Comparison of t h e p s y c h i a t r i c t e s t i m o n y p r e s e n t e d by t h e S t a t e w i t h t h a t p r e s e n t e d by Olson l e a v e s no p o s s i b l e c o n c l u s i o n o t h e r t h a n t h a t Olson h a s e s t a b l i s h e d by a p r e ponderance of t h e p s y c h i a t r i c e v i d e n c e t h a t h e i s e n t i t l e d t o be r e l e a s e d . 46-14-302(4) MCA. S e c t i o n 9 5 - 5 0 8 ( 3 ) , R.C.M. 1947, now s e c t i o n W t h e r e f o r e p r o c e e d t o a n e x a m i n a t i o n of e t h e t e s t i m o n y o f K a r l a White. Testimony of K a r l a White. - U n l i k e t h e t e s t i m o n y of D r . W e t z l e r , t h e t e s t i m o n y of K a r l a White i s n o t s u b j e c t t o a t t a c k on t h e b a s i s t h a t i t i s n o t t i m e l y o r r e l e v a n t . Her t e s t i m o n y c o n c e r n s i n c i d e n t s i n v o l v i n g Olson which o c c u r r e d w i t h i n a b o u t f i f t e e n months of h i s f i l i n g a p e t i t i o n f o r release. One o f t h e s e i n c i d e n t s r e s u l t e d i n O l s o n ' s a r r e s t and r e t u r n t o Warm S p r i n g s . The t e s t i m o n y i s undoubtedly damaging t o O l s o n ' s c a s e . S e e , P e o p l e v . G i l e s (Colo. 1 9 7 6 ) , 557 P.2d 408, 4 1 2 . Given o u r c o n c l u s i o n a s t o t h e c u r r e n t v a l u e of D r . W e t z l e r ' s 1970 t e s t i m o n y , however, t h e q u e s t i o n becomes whether W h i t e ' s t e s t i m o n y , s t a n d i n g a l o n e , j u s t i f i e s O l s o n ' s c o n t i n u e d confinement a t Warm S p r i n g s . conclude t h a t it does not. W e White, a s n o t e d e a r l i e r , t e s t i f i e d c o n c e r n i n g two s e p a r a t e i n c i d e n t s i n v o l v i n g Olson which o c c u r r e d a y e a r apart. I n t h e f i r s t i n c i d e n t , Olson a p p e a r e d u n i n v i t e d i n W h i t e ' s bedroom i n t h e e a r l y morning. H e l a t e r explained he had been t r y i n g t o r o u s e White f o r a b o u t a n hour and when h e f a i l e d , h e c a l l e d h e r mother who s u p p o s e d l y asked him t o check on h e r . Olson d i d l e a v e when t o l d t o by White. The c i r c u m s t a n c e s o f t h i s i n c i d e n t and t h e manner of O l s o n ' s behavior possesses only a s u p e r f i c i a l s i m i l a r i t y t o h i s s e x u a l a t t a c k s i n 1970. The second i n c i d e n t t o which White t e s t i f i e d was t h e t i m e t h a t Olson suddenly a p p e a r e d a s White was g e t t i n g o u t o f h e r c a r , knocked h e r down, and pushed h e r f a c e i n t o t h e c o n c r e t e b e f o r e d r a g g i n g h e r t o a n e a r b y v a c a n t f i e l d where he continued t o p r e s s her f a c e i n t o t h e g r a s s . White's r e c o u n t of what Olson s a i d t o h e r d u r i n g t h i s a t t a c k i s illuminating: " Q . What happened n e x t ? A . W e more o r less j u s t were t a l k i n g . H e a s k e d m e i f I knew why h e w a s d o i n g t h i s t o m e , and i f I wanted t o know, and I s a i d , 'Yes, I d o . ' - -i-he was d o i n g - -r He s a d it fo my s i s t e r . - " Q . What happened n e x t ? A . - -l-me t h a t i t He t o d - was-o t m-he was a f t e r anymore; t h a t it was m l n - e husband, and t h a t I s h o u l d g e t up and r u n a l o n g towards t h e r o a d and n o t t u r n around and j u s t (Emphasis added. ) run. " Again, t h e r e was no s e x u a l a s s a u l t o r c o n d u c t o f any kind. This incident a l s o i s very d i s s i m i l a r t o t h e e a r l i e r s e x u a l a t t a c k s and a p p a r e n t l y had f o r i t s m o t i v e n o t s e x u a l a s s a u l t b u t revenge f o r a f r i e n d a p p a r e n t l y wronged. S t a t e v . Hesse ( 1 9 7 7 ) , 117 N.H. Cf. 329, 373 A.2d 345, 347 ( d e f e n d a n t , a c q u i t t e d of a s s a u l t on a b l a c k man b e c a u s e o f i n s a n i t y , a s s a u l t e d a b l a c k man a f t e r e s c a p e from h o s p i t a l ) . Olson w a s c h a r g e d o n l y w i t h s i m p l e a s s a u l t and u n l a w f u l r e s t r a i n t , b o t h misdemeanors. Both c h a r g e s were e v e n t u a l l y dismissed. White's testimony a s w e l l a s Olson's s p e c i a l s t a t u s a t t h e t i m e of t h e a t t a c k l e a d s u s t o r e v i e w t h e e n t i r e s t a t u t o r y scheme f o r t h e commitment and r e l e a s e of p e r s o n s acq u i t t e d of c r i m e b e c a u s e of m e n t a l d i s e a s e o r d e f e c t . O l s o n ' s s p e c i a l s t a t u s of which we speak i s t h a t of an de i n s a n i t y a c q u i t t e e on - f a c t o s e l f - i m p o s e d " p r o b a t i o n " from Warm S p r i n g s f o r a p e r i o d o f o v e r f i v e y e a r s from t h e t i m e he walked away from t h e S t a t e H o s p i t a l i n August 1972, u n t i l h i s a r r e s t on September 1, 1977. Our r e v i e w i n i t i a l l y r e v e a l s a c o n f l i c t i n t h e s e s t a t u t e s a s t o whether c r i m i n a l o r a n t i s o c i a l b e h a v i o r a l o n e w a r r a n t s confinement a t Warm S p r i n g s . The Revised Commis- s i o n Comment t o s e c t i o n 95-508, R.C.M. 1947, governing release states: .. ". I t seems p r e f e r a b l e t o make d a n g e r o u s n e s s t h e c r i t e r i o n f o r continued custody r a t h e r than t o p r o v i d e t h a t t h e committed p e r s o n may b e d i s c h a r g e d o r r e l e a s e d when r e s t o r e d t o s a n i t y a s d e f i n e d by t h e m e n t a l h y g i e n e laws. Although h i s m e n t a l d i s e a s e may have g r e a t l y improved, s u c h a p e r s o n may s t i l l be dangerous b e c a u s e o f f a c t o r s i n h i s p e r s o n a l i t y and background o t h e r t h a n m e n t a l d i s e a s e . A l s o , such a s t a n d a r d p r o v i d e s a p o s s i b l e means f o r t h e c o n t r o l of t h e o c c a s i o n a l d e f e n d a n t who s u c c e s s f u l l y feiqned mental d i s e a s e t o g a i n an a c q u i t t a l . - The p r e s c r i b e d p r o c e d u r e p r o t e c t s both t h e and t h e -- p u b l i c - - d e f e n d a n t by p r o v i d i n g f o r-n i n d e p e n d e n t p s y c h i a t r i c e x a m i n a t i o n of a t h e d e f e n d a n t b e f o r e a c t i o n on - -pco apan ii lt f o r r e l e a s e , and t h e n e i t h e r f o r summary f a v o r a b l e a c t i o n on t h e a p p l i c a t i o n o r a f u l l h e a r ing." (Emphasis added. ) T h i s comment, a s w e l l as t h e l a n g u a g e of s e c t i o n 95-508 i t s e l f , w o u l d seem t o i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e m e r e f a c t o f O l s o n ' s c r i m i n a l a s s a u l t on White i s r e a s o n enough t o w a r r a n t h i s c o n t i n u e d confinement. The d e f i n i t i o n of m e n t a l d i s e a s e o r d e f e c t e x c l u d i n g r e s p o n s i b i l i t y c o n t a i n e d i n s e c t i o n 95-501, 1947, now s e c t i o n 46-14-101(2) R.C.M. MCA, indicates other- wise: " ( 2 ) A s used i n t h i s c h a p t e r , t h e t e r m 'mental d i s e a s e o r d e f e c t ' does n o t include an abnormality m a n i f e s t e d o n l y by r e p e a t e d c r i m i n a l o r o t h e r w i s e a n t i s o c i a l conduct." The c o n f l i c t between t h e s e p r o v i s i o n s i s more a p p a r e n t t h a n r e a l , however. Obviously, t h e i n t e n t of t h e s e s t a t u t e s i s t o d e a l w i t h a n e x c e p t i o n a l c l a s s o f p e o p l e who, b e c a u s e of t h e i r mental c o n d i t i o n , a r e n o t t o be h e l d c r i m i n a l l y l i a b l e f o r a c t s which o t h e r w i s e would b e c o n s i d e r e d c r i m i n a l . S t a t e v . T a y l o r ( 1 9 7 1 ) , 158 Mont. 323, 331, 491 P.2d 877, The c r u c i a l c r i t e r i o n f o r i n c l u s i o n i n t h i s c l a s s i s 881. p o s s e s s i o n of a m e n t a l d i s e a s e o r d e f e c t e x c l u d i n g r e s p o n s i bility. S e c t i o n 95-501, 1947, now s e c t i o n 46-14-101 R.C.M. MCA; P o w e l l v . F l o r i d a ( 5 t h C i r . 1 9 7 8 ) , 579 F.2d 324, 332. C l e a r l y , u n d e r t h i s s t a t u t e , t h e m e r e commission of a c r i m i n a l a c t does n o t p l a c e t h e a c t o r i n t h i s e x c e p t i o n a l class; n e i t h e r s h o u l d t h e mere commission of a c r i m i n a l a c t by a p e r s o n o n c e deemed t o b e a member o f t h i s c l a s s n e c e s s a r i l y b e c o n s t r u e d a s e v i d e n c e of h i s c o n t i n u e d i n c l u s i o n i n t h i s class. I n Rouse v . Cameron (D.C. Cir. 1 9 6 6 ) , 373 F.2d 451, t h e F e d e r a l C o u r t o f A p p e a l s was f a c e d w i t h a s i m i l a r s i t u a t i o n and a s i m i l a r s t a t u t o r y scheme. That c o u r t concluded: ". . . A p e r s o n i n v o l u n t a r i l y committed and conf i n e d under D.C.Code § 24-301 i s e n t i t l e d t o rel e a s e i f h e h a s ' r e c o v e r e d h i s s a n i t y and w i l l n o t i n t h e reasonable f u t u r e be dangerous t o himself o r others.' T h a t t h e ' p e r s o n s o c o n f i n e d h a s some dangerous p r o p e n s i t i e s does n o t , s t a n d i n g a l o n e , w a r r a n t h i s c o n t i n u e d c o n f i n e m e n t i n a government m e n t a l i n s t i t u t i o n u n d e r S 24-301 D.C.Code. The must b e r e l a t e d to -or - o a - a r i s e o u t-f -n abnormal m e n t a l c o n d i t i o n . ' " 373 F.2d a t 459. (Emphasis a d d e d . ) ... Accord, S t a t e v . C u v e l i e r ( 1 9 7 8 ) , 175 Conn. 1 0 0 , 394 A.2d I n o t h e r words, t h e m e r e f a c t t h a t a p e r s o n may have o n c e been a c q u i t t e d on t h e b a s i s of i n s a n i t y d o e s n o t f o r e v e r a f t e r i n s u l a t e him from t h e s a n c t i o n s imposed u n d e r t h e c r i m i n a l j u s t i c e s y s t e m i n t h e e v e n t of f u t u r e c r i m i n a l o r a n t i s o c i a l c o n d u c t , a b s e n t some e v i d e n c e t h a t h i s f u t u r e c o n d u c t i s somehow r e l a t e d t o h i s m e n t a l d i s e a s e o r d e f e c t . P e o p l e v . D u b l i n ( 1 9 7 8 ) , 63 111.App.3d 35; L e e v . Kolb (W.D. N . Y . 387, 380 N.E.2d 1 9 7 8 ) , 449 F.Supp. 311 1368, 1382. I n s h o r t , a s e x u a l p s y c h o p a t h s h o u l d n o t b e a b l e t o r o b a bank, f o r example, and b e a u t o m a t i c a l l y immune from c r i m i n a l punishment by v i r t u e of h i s e a r l i e r d i a g n o s e d i n s a n i t y . N e i t h e r s h o u l d t h e f a c t t h a t h e robbed t h e bank a u t o m a t i c a l l y b e t a k e n a s evidence of h i s c o n t i n u i n g s e x u a l psychopathy. T h e r e must b e some d e m o n s t r a t e d r e l a t i o n between t h e two types of behavior. I n t h i s regard, t h e following discussion i n Goldstein K a t z , Dangerousness - M e n t a l I l l n e s s , 70 Y a l e L . J . and 237-38 225, (1960) i s i n f o r m a t i v e : ". . . what d i s p o s i t i o n i s t o b e made of t h o s e a c q u i t t e d by r e a s o n of i n s a n i t y who r e m a i n dangerous--whatever meaning w i l l b e g i v e n t o t h a t word--but who have ' r e c o v e r e d s a n i t y ' a t l e a s t t o t h e e x t e n t t h a t t h e y c o u l d no l o n g e r be h e l d had t h e y b e e n c i v i l l y committed? C o n t i n u e d de-But t o t e n t i o n would b e t h e s t a t u t o r y answer. p a t i e n t s o l e l y f o r p o t e n t i a l dangeroushold n e s s would s n a p t h e t h i n l i n e between d e t e n t i o n f o r therapy detention -retribution. for - -o r e l e a s e s u c h p e r s o n s would i n e f f e c t b e Not t to -h - e q u a t e an u n d e f i n e d ' d a n g e r o u s n ~ s ' w i t S i n c e t h e r e c a n b e no undefined mental i l l n e s s . such equation, a d e c i s i o n n o t t o r e l e a s e s o l e l y o n t h e b a s i s of p o t e n t i a l d a n g e r o u s n e s s would b e l i k e a decision not t o discharge a tubercular p a t i e n t - - t h o u g h no l o n g e r i n f e c t i o u s - - b e c a u s e h e i s a p o t e n t i a l k i l l e r o r check-forger (Emp h a s i s added.) a .. an . . ." & Evidence t h a t O l s o n ' s a t t a c k on White w a s r e l a t e d t o h i s m e n t a l d i s o r d e r d i a g n o s e d i n 1970 i s l a c k i n g i n t h i s case. I n f a c t , had Olson f i r s t come t o t h e a t t e n t i o n o f t h e p o l i c e a s a r e s u l t o f h i s a t t a c k on White and had he a t t h a t t i m e chosen t o r e l y on t h e d e f e n s e of i n s a n i t y , t h e d e f e n d a n t would have been u n s u c c e s s f u l b e c a u s e everyone who examined him found no e v i d e n c e o f m e n t a l d i s o r d e r . Instead t h e evidence i s t o t h e opposite e f f e c t . All o f t h e p s y c h i a t r i c and p s y c h o l o g i c a l e v a l u a t i o n s of Olson performed a f t e r h i s recommitment t o Warm S p r i n g s were made w i t h f u l l knowledge o f h i s a t t a c k on White. Even w i t h t h i s knowledge, t h e s e e x p e r t s d e t e r m i n e d t h a t Olson s u f f e r e d no m e n t a l d i s o r d e r a s of t h e t i m e of t h e i r e x a m i n a t i o n . I n t h i s c o n n e c t i o n , t h e p r o v i s i o n s of s e c t i o n 955 0 8 ( 4 ) , R.C.M. 1947, now s e c t i o n 46-14-304 MCA, a r e r e l e - vant: " ( 4 ) I f , within f i v e (5) years a f t e r the conditional r e l e a s e of a committed p e r s o n , t h e c o u r t d e t e r m i n e s , a f t e r h e a r i n g e v i d e n c e , t h a t t h e c o n d i t i o n s of r e l e a s e have n o t been f u l f i l l e d and t h a t f o r t h e s a f e t y o f t h e p e r s o n o r f o r t h e s a f e t y of o t h e r s h i s cond i t i o n a l r e l e a s e should be revoked, t h e c o u r t s h a l l immediately o r d e r him t o be recommitted t o t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t of Warm S p r i n g s s t a t e h o s p i t a l , s u b j e c t t o d i s c h a r g e o r r e l e a s e o n l y i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e proc e d u r e p r e s c r i b e d above i n s u b s e c t i o n s ( 2 ) and ( 3 ) . " A s n o t e d above, O l s o n ' s s t a t u s a t t h e t i m e of h i s a t t a c k on White on September 1, 1977, was u n i q u e . H e had walked away from Warm S p r i n g s i n August 1972 and had l i v e d i n Great F a l l s f o r t h e next f i v e years. Olson found a job, During t h i s p e r i o d , j o i n e d a u n i o n , j o i n e d t h e l o c a l Moose Lodge, and a p p a r e n t l y e s t a b l i s h e d a more c o m p a t i b l e , understanding r e l a t i o n s h i 2 with h i s wife. The d e g r e e t o which Olson f i t i n t o t h e community i s a t t e s t e d t o by t h e 35 p e r s o n a l r e f e r e n c e l e t t e r s from h i s e m p l o y e r s , f r i e n d s , and mworkers admitted i n t o evidence a t t h e hearing. See, H i l l v . S t a t e ( F l a . App. 1 9 7 8 ) , 358 So.2d 190, 205. I n a v e r y r e a l s e n s e , t h e n , h i s s t a t u s was t h a t of a conditional, a l b e i t self-determined, releasee, the condition f r a n k l y b e i n g t h a t h e a v o i d c o n t a c t w i t h t h e law. For t h e f i v e - y e a r p e r i o d s p e c i f i e d i n s e c t i o n 95-508 ( 4 ) , Olson l i v e d up t o t h i s c o n d i t i o n . W r e c o g n i z e , of c o u r s e , t h a t t h i s s e c t i o n i s n o t e d i r e c t l y a p p l i c a b l e t o a person i n Olson's s t a t u s . Never- t h e l e s s , t h e i n t e n t of t h e l e g i s l a t u r e i n e n a c t i n g t h i s s e c t i o n was t o c r e a t e a t i m e l i m i t beyond which t h e S t a t e c a n n o t a u t o m a t i c a l l y r e v o k e t h e r e l e a s e of a p e r s o n once committed t o Warm S p r i n g s and s u b s e q u e n t l y r e t u r n e d t o t h e community. Olson d i d s u c c e s s f u l l y l i v e i n G r e a t F a l l s , under h i s s e l f - i m p o s e d c o n d i t i o n s , f o r l o n g e r t h a n t h i s s t a t u t o r y time l i m i t . To t a k e him from h i s s u c c e s s f u l l y r e c r e a t e d l i f e and r e t u r n him t o an i n d e f i n i t e c o n f i n e m e n t i n Warm S p r i n g s on t h e s o l e b a s i s of a misdemeanor a s s a u l t c h a r g e c a r r y i n g a maximum s i x month s e n t e n c e o f f e n d s t h i s intent. T h e r e f o r e , w e t h i n k i t was incumbent upon t h e S t a t e a t t h i s l a t e d a t e t o have come forward w i t h s t r o n g e r e v i d e n c e t h a n w a s p r e s e n t e d t o show t h a t Olson c o n t i n u e s t o s u f f e r from a m e n t a l d i s o r d e r r e q u i r i n g h i s renewed conf i n e m e n t a t Warm S p r i n g s . The S t a t e a p p a r e n t l y assumed t h a t i t o n l y had t o show t h a t Olson a t one t i m e had a m e n t a l d i s e a s e o r d e f e c t and t h a t more r e c e n t l y h e had committed an a n t i s o c i a l a c t w i t h o u t having t o show a r e l a t i o n s h i p between t h e two. an erroneous assumption. T h i s was On t h e e v i d e n c e p r e s e n t e d t h u s f a r , Olson h a s shown by a preponderance of t h e e v i d e n c e he i s entitled t o h i s release. I t i s n o t t h e f u n c t i o n o f t h i s C o u r t , however, t o d i r e c t t h e release o f p e r s o n s committed t o Warm S p r i n g s S t a t e H o s p i t a l ; t h a t power b e l o n g s t o t h e D i s t r i c t C o u r t . S e c t i o n 95-508, R.C.M. 1947, now s e c t i o n s 46-14-301 -304 MCA; A p p l i c a t i o n o f Zion ( 1 9 7 8 ) , P.2d 1084, 1090, 35 St.Rep. Mont. 1475, 1482. through , 585 Given t h e s e r i o u s - n e s s o f t h e o f f e n s e s f o r which Olson was o r i g i n a l l y comm i t t e d , t h e f a c t t h a t h e h a s undergone no p s y c h i a t r i c t r e a t ment s i n c e t h e t i m e o f h i s " r e l e a s e " from t h e h o s p i t a l , t h e two i n c i d e n t s i n v o l v i n g K a r l a White, and t h e f a c t t h a t t h e S t a t e p r o c e e d e d on a n e r r o n e o u s a s s u m p t i o n a s t o i t s b u r d e n o f proof i n t h e p r e v i o u s h e a r i n g , w e conclude t h a t t h i s c a u s e m u s t b e remanded f o r f u t h e r t e s t i m o n y on t h e s p e c i f i c q u e s t i o n of whether O l s o n ' s a n t i s o c i a l behavior a s i l l u s t r a t e d i n t h e i n c i d e n t s i n v o l v i n g K a r l a White have a n y r e l a t i o n s h i p t o any m e n t a l d i s e a s e o r d e f e c t c u r r e n t l y s u f f e r e d by O l s o n . 387, 380 N.E.2d A.D.2d P e o p l e v . D u b l i n ( 1 9 7 8 ) , 63 I l l . A p p . 3 d 31, 35; A p p l i c a t i o n o f $filler ( 1 9 7 4 ) , 46 1 7 7 , 362 N.Y.S.2d 628, 633-34. The p o i n t t o b e d e t e r m i n e d by t h e D i s t r i c t C o u r t i s w h e t h e r O l s o n ' s p r e s e n t " d a n g e r o u s n e s s , " i f a n y , i s r e l a t e d t o o r growing o u t o f t h e abnormal m e n t a l c o n d i t i o n h e e x h i b i t e d i n 1970. The m e r e f a c t t h a t Olson may h a v e a t e n d e n c y t o w a r d s a n t i s o c i a l b e h a v i o r i s n o t s u f f i c i e n t t o w a r r a n t h i s cont i n u e d c o n f i n e m e n t i n Warm S p r i n g s . S t a t e s (D.C. See, H a r r i s v . United 1 9 7 6 ) , 356 A.2d 630, 632. I f Olson d o e s n o t s u f f e r from a m e n t a l d i s e a s e o r d e f e c t which c a u s e s t h i s b e h a v i o r , t h e r e i s no r e a s o n f o r c o n t i n u i n g t o i n c l u d e him i n t h e exceptional c l a s s of people discussed e a r l i e r . Baxstrom v . H e r o l d ( 1 9 6 6 ) , 383 U.S. 760, 764-65, 1 5 L.Ed.2d 620, 625-26. 1 0 7 , 114-15, 86 S . C t . The o r d i n a r y p u n i s h - ments of t h e c r i m i n a l j u s t i c e s y s t e m a r e a d e q u a t e t o h a n d l e Olson's f u t u r e c r i m i n a l conduct, i n such circumstances. W e a l s o p o i n t o u t t h a t t h e District Court i s n o t limited t o e i t h e r recommit O l s o n t o Warm S p r i n g s o r r e l e a s e him unconditionally. S e c t i o n 95-508 g i v e s t h e D i s t r i c t C o u r t a u t h o r i t y t o r e l e a s e c o n d i t i o n a l l y p e r s o n s committed t o t h e S t a t e H o s p i t a l by p l a c i n g s u c h c o n d i t i o n s a s i t deems n e c e s s a r y on t h e release. Mont. , But see, A p p l i c a t i o n o f Zion ( 1 9 7 8 ) , 585 P.2d 1084, 35 St.Rep. 1475. On remand, t h e D i s t r i c t C o u r t s h o u l d n o t f o r e c l o s e t h e p o s s i b i l i t y of c o n d i t i o n a l r e l e a s e a s a p r o p e r means o f b a l a n c i n g O l s o n ' s i n t e r e s t i n liberty against society's i n t e r e s t i n protection from p o t e n t i a l l y d a n g e r o u s p e r s o n s . 585 P.2d a t 1087, 35 St.Rep. A p p l i c a t i o n o f Zion, a t 1478; H i l l v . S t a t e , 358 So.2d a t 209. The judgment o f t h e D i s t r i c t C o u r t d e n y i n g O l s o n ' s p e t i t i o n f o r r e l e a s e i s reversed. The c a u s e i s remanded f o r f u r t h e r proceedings c o n s i s t e n t with t h i s opinion. W e concur: Justices Mr. J u s t i c e John Conway H a r r i s o n d i s s e n t i n g : I dissent. I am aware of t h e d i f f i c u l t problem f a c e d by t h e m a j o r i t y , and p e r h a p s t h e s o l u t i o n p r e s e n t e d i s t h e o n l y one a v a i l a b l e . However, t h e t i m e h a s come t o f o c u s on t h e a b s u r d p o s i t i o n s t h a t c o u r t s a r e now p u t i n when i n t e r p r e t i n g t h e m e n t a l c o n d i t i o n of d e f e n d a n t s i n t r y i n g t o determine t h e i r criminal l i a b i l i t y . A p p e l l a n t , a s n o t e d i n t h e o p i n i o n of t h e m a j o r i t y and i n a p r i o r c a s e b e f o r e t h i s C o u r t , i s a known r a p i s t . Prior t o , and n o t e d i n o u r o p i n i o n i n S t a t e v . Olson ( 1 9 7 1 ) , 156 Mont. 339, 480 P.2d 822, h e w a s c h a r g e d w i t h a n a s s a u l t i n a c o u n t y a d j a c e n t t o L i n c o l n County and a l l o w e d t o p l e a d t o a lesser o f f e n s e . The t e s t i m o n y of d e f e n s e p s y c h i a t r i s t s i n t h e above c a s e i n d i c a t e d t h a t he w a s e n t i t l e d t o t h e p r o v i s i o n s of s e c t i o n s 46-14-101 MCA ( f o r m e r l y t h r o u g h 46-14-304 s e c t i o n s 95-501 t h r o u g h 95-509, R.C.M. 1947). Dr. Wetzler i n d i c a t e d t h a t h e was a dangerous p e r s o n who had: ". . . a grave d e f e c t , a grave i l l n e s s , a s e r i o u s problem o f h i s i n a b i l i t y t o a c c e p t h i s own s e x u a l f e e l i n g s any more t h a n you o r I c a n p e r h a p s a c c e p t o r c o n t r o l hunger I cannot p r e d i c t t h e outlook. I would s a y i t would b e a g r i m and guarded one Because of t h e l o n g d u r a t i o n of h i s i l l n e s s and p a r t i c u l a r l y a s w e a r e a g a i n d e a l i n g w i t h a p e r s o n a l i t i e s weakness, a p e r s o n a l i t y d e f e c t Because h e i s dangerous t o b e a t l a r g e . H e h a s no c o n t r o l a t t i m e s . T h i s i s what w e are t a l k i n g about, h i s c o n t r o l , h i s d e f e c t , his illness. I f h e h a s shown t h e s e m a n i f e s t a t i o n s s i n c e 1 2 , 1 4 y e a r s of a g e , and h e i s now what, 27, 28, p l u s t h e e v i d e n c e o f t h e Minn e s o t a M u l t i p h a s i c T e s t , w e have c o n c l u s i v e proof t h a t t h i s man needs t o be c o n f i n e d . " ... ... . . . With t h i s t e s t i m o n y b e f o r e t h e c o u r t and a v a i l a b l e l a t e r f o r c o n s i d e r a t i o n by a t t e n d i n g p s y c h i a t r i s t s , and w i t h l i t t l e o r no t r e a t m e n t a t t h e S t a t e H o s p i t a l d u r i n g t h e y e a r h e s p e n t t h e r e , w e now have t e s t i m o n y b e f o r e u s t h a t h e s h o u l d have n e v e r been s e n t t o t h e S t a t e H o s p i t a l . If that i s t r u e , f r a u d was p e r p e t r a t e d on t h e c o u r t when i t found a p p e l l a n t n o t g u i l t y by r e a s o n o f i n s a n i t y . Had t h e t r i a l c o u r t n o t a c c e p t e d t h i s t e s t i m o n y , a p p e l l a n t would have f a c e d r e t r i a l and c o u l d have been c o n v i c t e d and s e n t e n c e d t o a l o n g t e r m i n t h e S t a t e Prison--from which e s c a p e i s con- s i d e r a b l y more d i f f i c u l t t h a n i t i s from t h e S t a t e H o s p i t a l . I n a d d i t i o n I am d i s t u r b e d t h a t a p a t i e n t a t t h e S t a t e H o s p i t a l " d e s i g n a t e d a s dangerous" c a n walk away from t h a t i n s t i t u t i o n , w i t h no n o t i f i c a t i o n t o t h e committing a u t h o r i t i e s , o r t o any of t h e law enforcement a u t h o r i t i e s i n t h e State. The r e s u l t i s t h a t w e have s u c h a p e r s o n a t l a r g e i n the S t a t e f o r a five-year period. Somewhere i n t h i s c a s e , we have a complete breakdown of r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o t h e p e o p l e of t h i s S t a t e . They a r e e n t i t l e d t o more p r o t e c t i o n - - p a r t i c u l a r l y t h e women of t h i s S t a t e - - t h a n b i t e d here. h a s been e x h i - F a i l u r e on t h e p a r t of t h e S t a t e H o s p i t a l a u t h o r i t i e s t o n o t i f y law enforcement o f f i c i a l s e v i d e n c e s , i n my o p i n i o n , g r o s s n e g l i g e n c e and a r e c k l e s s d i s r e g a r d f o r t h e r i g h t s and s a f e g u a r d o f t h e p u b l i c . A s a r e s u l t of s u c h a c t i o n s by s t a t e o f f i c i a l s i n o t h e r j u r i s d i c t i o n s , p e r s o n s i n j u r e d by such i n m a t e s , o r t h e i r survivors, a r e seeking r e d r e s s a g a i n s t t h e s t a t e f o r i n j u r i e s done by t h e i n m a t e w h i l e a t l a r g e . 2 R e s t a t e m e n t of T o r t s 2d g i v e s g u i d a n c e on t h e i s s u e of t h e d u t y owed any members of b o a r d s o r t h e r e s p o n s i b l e o f f i c i a l s a t i n s t i t u t i o n s who r e l e a s e such persons. S e c t i o n 3 1 9 , "Duty of Those i n Charge o f P e r s o n Having Dangerous P r o p e n s i t i e s " s t a t e s : "One who t a k e s c h a r g e o f a t h i r d p e r s o n whom h e knows o r s h o u l d know t o b e l i k e l y t o c a u s e b o d i l y harm t o o t h e r s i f n o t c o n t r o l l e d i s under a d u t y t o e x e r c i s e r e a s o n a b l e c a r e t o c o n t r o l t h e t h i r d p e r s o n t o p r e v e n t him from d o i n g such harm." The i l l u s t r a t i o n s t o S e c t i o n 319 i n v o l v e t h e n e g l i g e n t r e l e a s e o f a n i n f e c t i o u s p a t i e n t from a p r i v a t e h o s p i t a l w i t h a n i n f e c t i o u s d i s e a s e ( b a s e d , i n t e r a l i a , on M i s s o u r i , K & T. R. Co. v . Wood ( 1 9 0 2 ) , 95 Tex. 223, 66 S.W. 449) and t h e e s c a p e of a h o m i c i d a l maniac p a t i e n t d u e t o t h e n e g l i gence of g u a r d s employed by a s a n i t a r i u m ( b a s e d , i n t e r a l i a , on A u s t i n W. J o n e s Co. v . S t a t e ( 1 9 2 3 ) , 1 2 2 M e . 2 1 4 , 119 A. 577). The S t a t e a s s e r t s i t used W e t z l e r ' s 1970 t e s t i m o n y b e c a u s e W e t z l e r was o u t of s t a t e , r e s i d i n g i n t h e S t a t e of Washington, where h e h a s h i s p r a c t i c e , and w a s t h e r e f o r e n o t available t o testify. I n f a c t , D r . W e t z l e r h a s r e t i r e d and h i s records a r e n o t a v a i l a b l e a t t h i s time. I b e l i e v e t h e t r a n s c r i b e d t e s t i m o n y was c l e a r l y admis- s i b l e under s e c t i o n 9 5 - 1 8 0 2 ( e ) , R.C.M. 1947, now s e c t i o n 46- 15-204 MCA, which p r o v i d e s t h a t t h e sworn t r a n s c r i b e d t e s t i mony of a w i t n e s s , t h a t t h e d e f e n d a n t h a s been a b l e t o cross-examine, state. i s a d m i s s i b l e i f t h e w i t n e s s i s o u t of t h e S t a t e v . LaCario ( 1 9 7 4 ) , 163 Mont. 511, 518 P.2d 982; S t a t e v . B o u l d i n ( 1 9 6 9 ) , 153 Mont. 277, 456 P.2d 830; and S t a t e v . Zachmeier ( 1 9 6 9 ) , 153 Mont. 64, 453 P.2d 783. A s t o t h e presumption of c o n t i n u i n g i n s a n i t y , Montana r e c o g n i z e s t h e common law presumption t h a t i n s a n i t y , o n c e p r o v e d , i s presumed t o e x i s t . Appellant's assertion t h a t t h e presumption e n d s a f t e r f i v e y e a r s i s wholly unfounded. Presumption must b e judged on a case-by-case basis; the i n f e r e n c e s t e a d i l y d i m i n i s h e s i n f o r c e w i t h t h e l a p s e of t i m e a t a r a t e p r o p o r t i o n a t e t o t h e q u a l i t y of t h e permanence b e l o n g i n g t o t h e t h i n g i n q u e s t i o n u n t i l i t c e a s e s . Sommer v . Wigen ( 1 9 3 6 ) , 103 Mont. 327, 62 P.2d 333; P e o p l e v . Baker ( 1 9 5 4 ) , 4 2 Cal.2d 550, 268 P.2d 705; S t a t e Garver ( 1 9 5 0 ) , 190 O r . 291, 225 P.2d 771. V. The S t a t e w a s r e q u i r e d t o p r o v e t h a t O l s o n ' s i n s a n i t y w a s permanent and c o n t i n u i n g . went t o t h a t q u e s t i o n . Wetzler's testimony c l e a r l y The S t a t e was n o t t r y i n g t o p a s s t h e testimony o f f a s evidence of Olson's condition a t t h e t i m e of t h e h e a r i n g b u t a s t e s t i m o n y c o n c e r n i n g O l s o n ' s former c o n d i t i o n which was t o s e r v e a s a n e x p l a n a t i o n of h i s c u r r e n t actions. Olson was d i a g n o s e d i n 1970 a s h a v i n g a m e n t a l problem of l o n g s t a n d i n g f o r which h e was o r d e r e d t o be c o n f i n e d and treated. Y e t one y e a r a f t e r h i s commitment, Olson e s c a p e d from Warm S p r i n g s and f o r t h e f i v e y e a r s between 1972 and 1977 r e c e i v e d no t r e a t m e n t . Thus, a p p e l l a n t h a s been e s s e n - t i a l l y u n t r e a t e d f o r t h i s g r a v e i l l n e s s ; a presumption t h a t it continues is appropriate. The S t a t e d o e s n o t b e l i e v e t h a t t h e o r i g i n a l t e s t i m o n y o n i n s a n i t y i s always s u f f i c i e n t t o keep t h e p e r s o n c o n f i n e d . I t was t h e combination o f W e t z l e r ' s t e s t i m o n y , t h e a t t a c k on White, and t h e f a c t t h a t Olson had r e c e i v e d no t r e a t m e n t which made t h e S t a t e ' s c a s e . A s t o t h e u s e of Karla White's testimony, t h e r e was s u b s t a n t i a l s i m i l a r i t y between t h e 1969 r a p e s committed by Olson, t h e 1977 a t t a c k on White, and t h e 1976 a p p e a r a n c e by Olson i n W h i t e ' s bedroom. While no s e x u a l a s s a u l t t o o k p l a c e , t h e r e may have been one had n o t t h e p o l i c e i n t e r v e n e d i n one i n c i d e n t o r White n o t had a male companion i n t h e other . The 1969 r a p e s took p l a c e a t n i g h t when t h e v i c t i m s ' husbands w e r e away and a f t e r Olson had t h r e a t e n e d t o harm t h e i r c h i l d r e n . The a t t a c k on White a l s o o c c u r r e d a t n i g h t , and a p p e l l a n t had i n q u i r e d a s t o t h e whereabouts of h e r c h i l d and husband. Olson was r e q u i r e d t o prove t h a t h e was e n t i t l e d t o release by a preponderance o f t h e e v i d e n c e . Appellant produced e v i d e n c e t h a t h e i s n o t m e n t a l l y ill and t h a t h e h a s a d j u s t e d t o community and f a m i l y l i f e . The S t a t e , on t h e o t h e r hand, produced e v i d e n c e t h a t a p p e l l a n t w a s d i a g nosed i n 1970 a s h a v i n g a g r a v e and s e r i o u s m e n t a l i l l n e s s , t h a t he had r a p e d two women i n 1969, and t h a t h e had p e r p e t r a t e d a n a t t a c k upon a woman i n 1977 t h a t was s i m i l a r , as f a r a s i t went, t o t h e e a r l i e r r a p e s . The e v i d e n c e a l s o showed t h a t a p p e l l a n t had r e c e i v e d e s s e n t i a l l y no t r e a t m e n t f o r h i s mental i l l n e s s . Upon t h i s r e c o r d , t h e D i s t r i c t C o u r t was e n t i r e l y j u s t i f i e d i n d e t e r m i n i n g , a s i t d i d , t h a t a p p e l l a n t had n o t shown an e n t i t l e m e n t t o r e l e a s e by a p r e p o n d e r a n c e of t h e e v i d e n c e . Even i g n o r i n g t h e t r a n s c r i p t of W e t z l e r ' s t e s t i m o n y , t h e e v i d e n c e shows t h a t Olson was a p h y s i c a l danger t o o t h e r s i n 1970 and remained s o i n 1977. As stated i n the Revised Commission Comment t o s e c t i o n 95-508, now s e c t i o n s 46-14-301 t h r o u g h 46-14-304 R.C.M. 1947, MCA: ". . . I t s e e m s p r e f e r a b l e t o make dangerousness t h e c r i t e r i o n f o r continued custody r a t h e r t h a n t o p r o v i d e t h a t t h e committed p e r s o n may b e d i s c h a r g e d o r r e l e a s e d when r e s t o r e d t o s a n i t y a s d e f i n e d by t h e m e n t a l h y g i e n e laws. Although h i s m e n t a l d i s e a s e may have g r e a t l y improved, s u c h a p e r s o n may s t i l l b e d a n g e r o u s b e c a u s e of f a c t o r s i n h i s p e r s o n a l i t y and background o t h e r t h a n m e n t a l d i s e a s e . A l s o , such a s t a n d a r d p r o v i d e s a p o s s i b l e means f o r t h e c o n t r o l of t h e o c c a s i o n a l d e f e n d a n t who may b e q u i t e dangerous b u t who s u c c e s s f u l l y f e i g n e d m e n t a l d i s e a s e t o g a i n an a c q u i t t a l . . ." T h i s comment i s p a r t i c u l a r l y a p p r o p r i a t e i n t h e p r e s e n t c a s e based on W h i t e ' s u n c o n t r o v e r t e d t e s t i m o n y . I would a f f i r m t h e D i s t r i c t C o u r t . / \ Justice r

Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.