In re Phillips

122 N.W. 554, 158 Mich. 155
CourtMichigan Supreme Court
DecidedSeptember 21, 1909
DocketDocket No. 51
StatusPublished
Cited by18 cases

This text of 122 N.W. 554 (In re Phillips) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Michigan Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
In re Phillips, 122 N.W. 554, 158 Mich. 155 (Mich. 1909).

Opinion

Me Alvay, J.

An application was made to the probate court of Houghton county for the appointment of a guardian of the person and property of Gertrude C. [157]*157Phillips, upon the ground that she was mentally incompetent, by reason of insanity, to have charge, custody, and management of her person and property. The petitioner was a son and a prospective heir at law. It was alleged that the estate was of considerable amount. A hearing was had, the prayer of the petitioner granted, and the guardian of the person and estate appointed. A review of the action of the probate court was sought by writ of certiorari to this court, and it was held in this case not to be the proper remedy. 154 Mich. 139 (117 N. W. 630). An appeal was then had from this order and decree of the probate court, and the cause was heard in the circuit court for said county before the court and a jury. A verdict was rendered that the prayer of the petition be granted. The case is before us, upon writ of error, for review.

The principal question raised by the errors assigned is that the court should have instructed a verdict for respondent on the ground that there was no evidence in the case showing insanity.

It appears that on May 21, 1902, proceedings were begun by John Phillips, the husband of respondent, praying that she be admitted as a private patient to the Upper Peninsula Hospital for the Insane, as an insane person. On the same day an order was made appointing two reputable physicians to examine respondent as to her alleged insanity, and to certify to her condition as to sanity on or before May 22, 1902, at 4 o’clockp. m.; “that being the time and place heretofore assigned for hearing the application.” On May 22, 1902, an order was made for hearing said application on May 23, 1902, at 4 o’clock p. m., and on the same date, May 22, 1902, a hearing was had, and the order was made declaring her insane, and committing her to the hospital as a private patient. She remained there about six months, and was discharged. Since that time she had been at her home without restraint, going about her own affairs and transacting business for herself.

[158]*158The record shows that upon the trial of this case the only evidence offered by petitioner related to these proceedings had in probate court, from which this appeal is taken, and the proceeding to commit respondent to the Hospital for the Insane above described, and consisted of: (1) Exhibit A, which was the petition, order of hearing, the order appointing the guardian, and the opinion and finding of the probate court in the proceedings appealed from in the case at bar. (2) Exhibit B, which was proof of service of notice of appeal and notice of trial. These two exhibits composed the material parts of the files and records in the case, and were received in evidence. (3) Petitioner also offered in evidence Exhibit C, which was a certified copy of the order of the probate court made May 22, 1902, declaring Gertrude Phillips insane, and ordering her to be removed to the hospital as a private patient.

Counsel for respondent objected to the admission of this order because it was not accompanied by the record of the proceedings; that it was void because no proper service was had, and the hearing was premature, and respondent was not represented by a guardian ad litem. The objection was overruled, and an exception taken. The record of these proceedings was afterwards offered by respondent for the purpose indicated, and received in evidence. (1) Petitioner also offered in evidence Exhibit D, being a copy of a petition of Mrs. Phillips filed in probate court for an order declaring her to be restored to soundness of mind, dated December 27, 1907, and Exhibit E, being a copy of an order made by said court, dated March 10, 1908, withdrawing said petition on her motion, and adjudging costs against her, taxed by the court, at the sum of $72.50. Objection was made to the admission of both these exhibits because they were immaterial and irrelevant to the issue. The objections were overruled, and respondent excepted. No further evidence was offered by petitioner, and he rested his case. The question was again raised at the close of the case, by request to charge the jury to return a verdict for respondent.

[159]*159Proceedings taken for an adjudication of insanity against an individual should require the strictest compliance with all the statutory requirements provided. The determination affects the rights of the individual to the enjoyment of life, liberty, and property. Courts will ever protect the rights of the individual who is so unfortunate as to be called upon to make a showing to maintain his or her mental integrity. It is apparent that the original proceedings offered in evidence did not comply with the statute. The record shows that the petition was filed May 21st; the order for hearing was made May 22d to be held May 23d at 4 o’clock p. m. This hearing was had 24 hours before the time fixed in the order, and the respondent was declared insane and committed to an asylum. Whether this was purposely done or not we cannot say,, but it is significant that this order determining insanity was made on the date and at the hour the medical experts were required to report, by an order which recited that this was the time fixed for the hearing of the application. This order is shown to be void because made without jurisdiction. Eespondent was declared insane, and committed within 24 hours after the husband’s petition was filed. To hold this to be an orderly judicial proceeding would be a travesty upon the administration of justice. No reason for such remarkable haste is even offered, . This respondent was not a raving maniac. Her husband in his petition alleged “that [she] has delusions; thinks somebody is trying to kill her, and worries about members of the family; thinks that they have been injured and has other delusions ” — as the reasons for applying to the court for an adjudication of. insanity. The court was in error in not excluding from the case this order of adjudication of insanity and commitment to the hospital for the insane.

The petition for restoration to soundness of mind made by respondent in 1907, and the order discontinuing such proceedings, were offered in the case at' bar as part of petitioner’s showing of the insanity of respondent. The objection made was that they were immaterial and irrele[160]*160vant. Petitioner insists that they were material and relevant to show that respondent is estopped from making objection to the proceedings and order declaring her insane. An admission of insanity can never fix the status of unsound mind in the person making the admission. The law prescribes the only way a determination of insanity may be declared.

It is doubtful whether in any case, where no rights of innocent third parties intervene, any conduct of any person will estop him from questioning in any proceeding the regularity and determination of his insanity. The statute providing for proceedings to secure an order of restoration of soundness of mind after one has been adjudicated insane is not mandatory. It is permissive merely. Section 1943, 1 Comp. Laws. The proceedings begun and discontinued under the restoration act were not material or relevant to the issue, and should not have been admitted. The doctrine of estoppel is not applicable.

All persons are presumed to be sane, and in every proceeding the burden of proving insanity rests upon the one challenging the sanity of the individual. It is always a question to be tried out in the proceeding then pending where it was raised.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
122 N.W. 554, 158 Mich. 155, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/in-re-phillips-mich-1909.