Andrew Sawyer Weller v. State

• Court: Court of Appeals of Texas
• Decided: January 30, 2008
• Docket: 09-06-00550-CR
• Status: Published

Opinion

In The

Court of Appeals

Ninth District of Texas at Beaumont

______________________

NO. 09-06-550 CR

ANDREW SAWYER WELLER, Appellant

V.

THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee

On Appeal from the Criminal District Court

Jefferson County, Texas

Trial Court Nos. 49280 and 49361

MEMORANDUM OPINION

This is an appeal of a commitment order. In two appellate issues, Andrew Sawyer Weller asserts the evidence is legally and factually insufficient to support the trial court's determination that he continues to meet the criteria for court-ordered inpatient mental health services. We affirm the trial court's order.

Weller was found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity on January 11, 1988. See Weller v. State, 184 S.W.3d 787, 788 (Tex. App.--Beaumont 2006, no pet.). Weller was committed for treatment. Id.; see also Act of May 25, 1983, 68th Leg., R.S., ch. 454, § 3, 1983 Tex. Gen. Laws 2640, 2643-47 (repealed 2005) (current version at Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 46C.261 (Vernon 2006)). ⁽¹⁾ Weller is currently committed to Kerrville State Hospital.

The State filed an application for renewal of extended court-ordered mental health services. The trial court held a hearing and found, by clear and convincing evidence, that Weller (1) is mentally ill; (2) is likely to cause serious harm to others; (3) will, if not treated, continue to suffer severe abnormal, mental, emotional, and physical distress; (4) will, if not treated, continue to experience deterioration of his ability to function independently; (5) is presently unable to make a rational and informed choice as to whether or not to submit to treatment; and (6) is expected to continue in this condition for more than ninety days. The court entered a judgment committing Weller to Kerrville State Hospital for inpatient treatment.

Section 4(d)(5) of article 46.03 provides that a person acquitted by reason of insanity and committed to a mental hospital or other appropriate facility may only be discharged by an order of the committing court, and charges the trial court with determining whether the acquitted person continues to meet the criteria for involuntary commitment. Act of May 25, 1983, 68th Leg., R.S., ch. 454, § 3, 1983 Tex. Gen. Laws 2640, 2644-45 (repealed 2005). See also Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. §§ 574.031-.037 (Vernon 2003 & Supp. 2007). The evidence to support the trial court's findings must be clear and convincing. See Harrison v. State, 239 S.W.3d 368, 373 (Tex. App.--Beaumont 2007, no pet.). Clear and convincing evidence is that measure or degree of proof that will produce in the mind of the trier of fact a firm belief or conviction about the truth of the allegations sought to be established. State v. Addington, 588 S.W.2d 569, 570 (Tex. 1979).

In a legal sufficiency review where the burden of proof is clear and convincing evidence, the reviewing court must consider all the evidence in the light most favorable to the finding to determine whether a reasonable trier of fact could have formed a firm belief or conviction that its finding was true. In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 266 (Tex. 2002). The reviewing court assumes the factfinder resolved disputed facts in favor of its finding if a reasonable factfinder could do so. Id.

In a factual sufficiency review, the reviewing court considers all the evidence, both in support of and contrary to the trial court's findings. See In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d 17, 27-29 (Tex. 2002). The court gives due consideration to evidence that the factfinder could reasonably have found to be clear and convincing. See id. at 25. The appellate court must determine whether the evidence is such that a factfinder could reasonably form a firm belief or conviction about the truth of the State's allegations. Id. The court considers whether disputed evidence is such that a reasonable trier of fact could not have reconciled that disputed evidence in favor of its finding. In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266. The appellate court retains deference for the role of the factfinder. In re C.H., 89 S.W.3d at 26.

Dr. Edward Gripon, a psychiatrist, evaluated Weller after Weller killed his parents. Dr. Gripon has examined Weller over the past twenty years. The doctor testified that Weller is mentally ill and suffers from a delusional disorder. Dr. Gripon explained that his diagnosis of delusional disorder is based on Weller's failure to accept that he is mentally ill, Weller's refusal to undergo treatment in the form of psychoactive medication, his lack of understanding as to why he is in the hospital, and his delusions regarding the commitment hearings. Dr. Gripon opined that if Weller is not treated, he will continue to suffer severe and abnormal mental, emotional, or physical distress and his ability to function independently will continue to deteriorate.

Dr. Gripon testified that Weller is likely to cause harm to himself or to others. The doctor explained that Weller would be a danger to himself, and his condition would deteriorate, if he were released or placed in a less restrictive setting. Dr. Gripon noted that Weller substantially benefits from the structure of residing in Kerrville State Hospital, and Weller does not receive any active treatments. Dr. Gripon also explained that if Weller were released into anything less structured than Kerrville State Hospital, Weller's condition would worsen, making him a danger to others. The doctor acknowledged that Weller had been attacked by another patient and he did not retaliate or act out in violence. Dr. Gripon explained that there was still a risk that Weller's delusional thought process could focus on another individual as it did in the original offense. The doctor framed the issue as whether Weller would be violent in that type of setting, and not whether Weller would "go out and start a fight."

The doctor explained that although Weller had not demonstrated a recent overt act that would confirm a likelihood of serious harm to himself or others, Weller did display continuing paranoia, delusional thoughts, and a refusal to take medication. Dr. Gripon noted that Weller's medical condition implies the potential for danger. The doctor testified that Weller demonstrated a continuing pattern of behavior that tends to confirm a likelihood of serious harm to himself and others by refusing to accept his mental illness, by refusing to take psychoactive medication, and by requiring the structure provided by the hospital. Dr. Gripon testified that Weller is unable to make rational and informed decisions as to whether he should submit to treatment, and Weller's condition is expected to continue for more than ninety days. The doctor opined that Weller should be readmitted to Kerrville State Hospital. The State submitted the "Physician's Certificate of Medical Examination for Mental Illness" of Dr. Heather Fannin and Dr. Robert Stevenson of Kerrville State Hospital. Weller was under Dr. Fannin's care for ten months. Dr. Fannin diagnosed Weller with a delusional disorder. The doctor opined that Weller is mentally ill; he will, if not treated, continue to suffer severe and abnormal mental, emotional, or physical distress; Weller will continue to experience substantial mental or physical deterioration of the ability to function independently; and Weller is not able to make a rational and informed decision as to whether to submit to treatment. Dr. Fannin based her opinion on Weller's consistent refusal to take medications, his guardedness, his mildly paranoid distortions of thoughts, and his illogical thinking. The doctor also noted that it was unlikely that Weller would take medication or follow the conditions imposed by outpatient commitment. Dr. Fannin stated that Weller's condition is expected to continue for more than ninety days because Weller's condition would not improve substantially without medication.

Dr. Stevenson performed a psychiatric evaluation on Weller and diagnosed him with paranoid schizophrenia. Dr. Stevenson opined that Weller was mentally ill; is likely to cause serious harm to himself or to others; and if not treated, Weller will continue to suffer severe and abnormal mental, emotional, or physical distress; will continue to experience substantial mental or physical deterioration of the ability to function independently; and Weller is not able to make a rational and informed decision as to whether to submit to treatment. Dr. Stevenson noted that Weller displayed general distrust and paranoia. The doctor stated that Weller had no insight or understanding as to the need for psychiatric treatment. Dr. Stevenson also noted that Weller was argumentative, irritable, and refused to consider alternative anti-psychotic medications. The doctor opined that Weller's condition was expected to continue for more than ninety days because Weller continued to display difficulty despite receiving years of treatment and hospitalization.

The State also submitted a detailed, seven page "Violence Risk Assessment" performed by Jeffrey M. Lammers, a psychiatrist. Lammers opined that Weller required continued inpatient psychiatric treatment because Weller suffers from a mental illness, Weller displays significant risk factors associated with risk of harm to others, and Weller is unlikely to benefit from outpatient treatment.

Weller presented no controverting expert testimony. Weller testified that he did not experience any mental problems, he has not suffered from delusions in the past, he has not threatened to hurt himself if released, and he has made no attempts to harm himself. He explained that he has passed review boards and the people on the boards did not think he was a danger to himself or others. He testified that he has not engaged in any fights while hospitalized. Weller explained that he had been attacked by another patient, and he did not provoke his attacker. Weller testified that he has participated in activities provided by the hospital that prepare patients to live in the community upon release. He also indicated that to cooperate with the mental health care that he has been offered, he has made arrangements to receive social security benefits.

We conclude there is clear and convincing evidence in the record from which the trial court could reasonably have formed a firm conviction that Weller continues to meet the inpatient criteria for involuntary commitment. Considering the clear and convincing evidence, the trial court did not err in ordering continued inpatient treatment.

Issues one and two are overruled. The trial court's order is affirmed.

AFFIRMED.

____________________________

DAVID GAULTNEY

Justice

Submitted on September 19, 2007

Opinion Delivered January 30, 2008

Do not publish

Before McKeithen, C.J., Gaultney and Horton, JJ.

1. The Texas Legislature repealed article 46.03 in 2005 and amended the Code of Criminal Procedure to add "Chapter 46C. Insanity Defense." Act of May 27, 2005, 79th Leg., R.S., ch. 831, §§ 1, 2, 2005 Tex. Gen. Laws 2841. The 2005 amendment "applies only to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is covered by the law in effect when the offense was committed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose." Act of May 27, 2005, 79th Leg., R.S., ch. 831, § 5, 2005 Tex. Gen. Laws 2841, 2853-54. The effective date was September 1, 2005. Act of May 27, 2005, 79th Leg., R.S., ch. 831, § 6, 2005 Tex. Gen. Laws 2841, 2854.