United States v. Pettaway, No. 14-1557 (8th Cir. 2015)

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Shortly before Pettaway was to be released from federal prison, the government sought his commitment under 18 U.S.C. 4246 on grounds that he was mentally ill and dangerous. After a hearing, the district court committed Pettaway for hospitalization and treatment, finding by clear and convincing evidence that commitment was appropriate. The Eighth Circuit vacated, expressing no opinion as to the appropriateness of Pettaway’s commitment, but stating that the commitment order must do more than recite Pettaway’s mental diagnosis and the opinions of mental health professionals that Pettaway’s unconditional release would create the relevant risk of dangerousness. The court heard contrary evidence in the form of testimony from Pettaway and must give some indication as to what information in the record it relied upon– such as Pettaway’s behavioral or psychological history; results of formalized assessments; recent observations, treatment notes, or interview impressions of mental health professionals; or its impressions of Pettaway’s own testimony – in reaching its conclusion.

Court Description: Per Curiam - Before Loken, Bowman and Kelly, Circuit Judges] Criminal case - Criminal law. The district court's perfunctory analysis of the factors warranting commitment under 18 U.S.C. Sec. 4246 hindered the court's review of the commitment order, and the matter is remanded for a new hearing with current information on defendant's mental health and the need for his continued hospitalization.

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United States Court of Appeals For the Eighth Circuit ___________________________ No. 14-1557 ___________________________ United States of America lllllllllllllllllllll Plaintiff - Appellee v. Jessie Pettaway lllllllllllllllllllll Defendant - Appellant ____________ Appeal from United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri - Springfield ____________ Submitted: May 12, 2015 Filed: August 12, 2015 [Published] ____________ Before LOKEN, BOWMAN, and KELLY, Circuit Judges. ____________ PER CURIAM. Shortly before Jessie Pettaway was due to be released from federal prison, the United States filed a petition seeking his commitment under 18 U.S.C. § 4246 on the grounds that he was mentally ill and dangerous. After a hearing, the district court committed Pettaway to the custody of the Attorney General for hospitalization and treatment in a suitable facility, upon finding by clear and convincing evidence that commitment was appropriate. Pettaway appeals, challenging the sufficiency of the evidence. The statute permits indefinite hospitalization of a federal prisoner due for release only if, after holding a hearing, “the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the person is presently suffering from a mental disease or defect as a result of which his release would create a substantial risk of bodily injury to another person or serious damage to property of another.” 18 U.S.C. § 4246(d). See United States v. Williams, 299 F.3d 673, 676 (8th Cir. 2002) (“To warrant commitment under 18 U.S.C. § 4246, the government must demonstrate, by clear and convincing evidence: ‘(1) a mental disease or defect; (2) dangerousness if released; and (3) the absence of suitable state placement.’”) (citations omitted). This court reviews the factual determinations underlying the district court’s commitment decision for clear error, see id. (discussing standard of review and government’s burden to warrant commitment under § 4246); however, our review in this case is hindered by the perfunctory nature of the court’s analysis. We express no opinion as to the appropriateness of Pettaway’s commitment, but conclude that the commitment order must do more than recite Pettaway’s mental diagnosis and the opinions of mental health professionals that Pettaway’s unconditional release would create the relevant risk of dangerousness. We also note that the district court heard contrary evidence in the form of testimony from Pettaway. At the hearing, Pettaway testified that he does not believe he suffers from a mental illness, that he takes his prescribed medications and would continue to do so, and that if released, he would not be a danger to any other persons or property because he had “stopped doing that.” The court must give some indication as to what information in the record it relied upon– such as Pettaway’s behavioral or psychological history; results of formalized assessments; recent observations, treatment notes, or interview impressions of mental health professionals; or its impressions of Pettaway’s own testimony – in reaching its conclusion. -2- Given the passage of more than a year since the commitment hearing, and because Pettaway’s custodians are under an ongoing obligation to prepare annual reports concerning his mental condition and the need for his continued hospitalization, see 18 U.S.C. § 4247(e)(1)(B), and to exert reasonable efforts periodically to secure state placement, see 18 U.S.C. § 4246(d), we conclude that a new hearing with current information is warranted. Accordingly, we vacate the judgment of the district court and remand for further proceedings, and we deny counsel’s motion to withdraw. ______________________________ -3-

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