In the Interest of D.P., an Adult v. the State of Texas

Opinion

IN THE TENTH COURT OF APPEALS

No. 10-24-00196-CV

IN THE INTEREST OF D.P., AN ADULT,

From the 54th District Court McLennan County, Texas Trial Court No. 2022-651-C2

MEMORANDUM OPINION

D.P. was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a vehicle.

Specifically, D.P. was accused of intentionally and knowingly threatening a person with

imminent bodily injury by accelerating the vehicle D.P. was operating toward the vehicle

occupied by the other person, but D.P. was found incompetent to stand trial. He was

committed to a mental health facility for competency restoration services. At some point,

the trial court ordered extended inpatient mental health services. In May of 2024, the

facility which housed D.P. evaluated D.P. and determined that D.P. remained

incompetent. Consequently, the State initiated a proceeding for renewed extended

mental health services, and after a jury trial, the trial court ordered D.P. committed for a

period not to exceed 12 months. Because the evidence is sufficient and the admission of

evidence, if erroneous, was not harmful, we affirm the trial court’s judgment and order of civil commitment.

EXTENDED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

The renewal of an order of extended mental health services is governed by section

574.066 of the Texas Health and Safety Code. See TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE § 574.066.

A court may not renew an order unless the court or jury finds by clear and convincing

evidence that the patient meets the criteria for extended mental health services under

Sections 574.035(a)(1), (2), and (3). Id. (f); § 574.035(a). A renewed order authorizes

treatment for not more than 12 months. Id. at § 574.066(f).

Section 574.035(a) of the Texas Health and Safety Code provides that a trial court

may order temporary inpatient mental-health services if the factfinder finds, by clear and

convincing evidence, that the patient is mentally ill, his condition is expected to continue

for more than 90 days, and at least one of three criteria results from that mental illness.

TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE § 574.035(a); see State ex rel. D.L.S., 446 S.W.3d 506, 515 (Tex.

App.—El Paso 2014, no pet.); L.S. v. State, 867 S.W.2d 838, 841 (Tex. App.—Austin 1993,

no writ). Two of the alternative criteria are that the patient is likely to cause serious harm

to himself or others (criteria (A) and (B)). TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE § 574.035(a)(2)(A)-

(B). The third alternative criterion (criterion (C)) requires proof of three parts: (1) the

patient is suffering severe and abnormal mental, emotional, or physical distress; (2) the

patient’s mental or physical deterioration impacts his ability to function independently,

"which is exhibited by the proposed patient's inability, except for reasons of indigence, to

provide for [his] basic needs, including food, clothing, health, or safety"; and (3) the

patient is unable to make rational and informed decisions as to whether or not to submit

In the Interest of D.P. Page 2 to treatment. Id. § 574.035(a)(2)(C).

The statute does not propose what evidence must be presented, except that it must

include expert testimony and evidence of a recent overt act or a continuing pattern of

behavior that tends to confirm 1) the likelihood of serious harm to the patient or others;

or 2) the patient’s distress and the deterioration of the patient’s ability to function. Id. §

574.035(e)(1); see State v. K.E.W., 315 S.W.3d 16, 20 (Tex. 2010) (interpreting the same

language in section 573.034(d)(1)). Although the phrase “overt act” is not defined, the

Texas Supreme Court has interpreted it to be an act by the patient, either physical or

verbal, that can be objectively perceived and that is to some degree probative of a finding

that serious harm to others is probable if the person is not treated. See TEX. HEALTH &

SAFETY CODE § 573.035(e)(1); see also K.E.W., 315 S.W.3d at 24. The overt act itself need

not be of such character that it alone would support a finding of probable serious harm

to others. Id.

The jury found that D.P. met all of the statute’s criteria.

SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE

In his first issue, D.P. challenges the legal sufficiency of the evidence to support

the jury’s finding of criteria (A), 1 (B), and (C), and the factual sufficiency of the evidence 0F

to support the jury’s finding of criterion (B). 2 D.P. does not challenge the finding that 1F

1 We note that the trial court’s judgment indicates the jury found D.P. was likely to cause serious harm to himself. However, it appears from the copy of the court’s charge provided in the clerk’s record that the jury expressly did not find that D.P. was likely to cause serious harm to himself. Nevertheless, for reasons expressed later in this opinion, this does not impact our disposition of D.P.’s first issue.

2 Because D.P. challenged the legal and factual sufficiency of the evidence in a motion for new trial, he has preserved this issue for our review on appeal. See TEX. R. CIV. P. 324(b); T.O. Stanley Boot Co. v. Bank of El In the Interest of D.P. Page 3 D.P. has a mental illness or that his condition is expected to continue for more than 90

days.

In evaluating evidence for legal sufficiency under a clear and convincing

standard, 3 we review all the evidence in the light most favorable to the finding to 2F

determine whether a reasonable factfinder could have formed a firm belief or conviction

that the finding was true. State v. K.E.W., 315 S.W.3d 16, 20 (Tex. 2010); see In re J.F.C., 96

S.W.3d 256, 266 (Tex. 2002). We resolve disputed fact questions in favor of the finding if

a reasonable factfinder could have done so, and we disregard all contrary evidence unless

a reasonable factfinder could not have done so. K.E.W., 315 S.W.3d at 20; City of Keller v.

Wilson, 168 S.W.3d 802, 817 (Tex. 2005); In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266. Likewise, in

reviewing a factual sufficiency claim, we consider the evidence that the factfinder could

reasonably have found to be clear and convincing and then determine, based on the entire

record, whether the factfinder could have formed a firm belief or conviction that the

allegations in the application were proven. In re Interest & Prot. of N.H., 510 S.W.3d 529,

531 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2014, no pet.) (citing In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d at 266).

Because it is dispositive, we first discuss whether the evidence to support the jury’s

finding that D.P. was likely to cause serious harm to others, criterion (B), is legally and

factually sufficient.

Paso, 847 S.W.2d 218, 220-21 (Tex. 1992); In the Interest of J.C., 582 S.W.3d 497, 500 (Tex. App.—Waco 2018, no pet.).

3 Clear and convincing evidence is an intermediate evidentiary standard, requiring more than the preponderance of the evidence standard of ordinary civil proceedings, but less than the reasonable doubt standard of criminal proceedings. State v. Addington, 588 S.W.2d 569, 570 (Tex. 1979). There is no requirement that the evidence must be unequivocal or undisputed. Id. In the Interest of D.P. Page 4 A hearing on an application for court-ordered mental health services may not be

held unless there are on file with the court at least two certificates of medical examination

for mental illness completed by different physicians each of whom has examined the

patient during the preceding 30 days. TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE § 574.009. The

certificate must include the physician’s opinion that the patient is mentally ill, his

condition is expected to continue for more than 90 days, and at least one of three criteria

listed in section 574.035(a), mentioned previously, results from that mental illness. Id. §

574.009.

Neither Dr. Russell Packard, the medical director over the psychiatric hospital at

Palestine Medical Center, nor Dr. Stephen Mark, a board certified psychiatrist in Waco,

indicated on their certificates of medical examination that D.P. was likely to cause serious

harm to others. However, Dr. Mark explained in a letter to the trial court that D.P. could

benefit from continued hospitalization. Without any treatment, Dr. Mark feared that

D.P.’s condition would decline, and D.P. would become less functional. He also feared

that if D.P. thought someone was after him or his family, D.P. might try to hurt that

person first. Dr. Mark further testified that D.P. has a delusional disorder that could go

on for years, and that two years after the underlying criminal offense, D.P. still believed

the person D.P. threatened to assault with D.P.’s vehicle was evil, mafia connected, and

could injure D.P. or D.P.’s family. With the delusional beliefs of someone trying to hurt

D.P. or his family, Dr. Mark opined that “anyone could see a situation where maybe [D.P.]

feels like he’s seen that person who is going to hurt him or his family; and he proactively

goes after that person….” Dr. Mark agreed that situation would include chasing a person

In the Interest of D.P. Page 5 with a car thought to be targeting D.P. or his family and trying to “ram” into the person

with D.P.’s car. 4 Dr. Mark agreed with the State that when D.P. reacts on a delusion, 3F

which could occur quickly and unexpectedly, D.P. could be a danger to others.

Dr. Yeatts, a forensic psychologist who evaluated D.P. for a competency

determination a month before the commitment hearing, believed D.P. could be a danger

to himself or others. Dr. Yeatts noted that D.P. had made threats while temporarily

committed within the four months prior to the hearing toward his own family who then

expressed fear to Dr. Yeatts. Dr. Yeatts also noted that D.P. was preoccupied with his

delusions and was looking forward to acting on them. Dr. Yeatts asserted that D.P. still

intended to prove all of the false beliefs were true and expose everyone in the process.

Dr. Yeatts believed D.P. was limited in acting on his delusions only by the setting in

which he was confined.

D.P. contends the evidence is legally insufficient because the expert testimony of

a recent overt act by D.P. only addressed theoretical or potential harm to others while

evidence of actual, dangerous behavior is required. But actual, dangerous behavior is not

required. The Texas Supreme Court has said the overt act itself need not be of such

character that it alone would support a finding of probable serious harm to others. See

State v. K.E.W., 315 S.W.3d 16, 24 (Tex. 2010) (again, interpreting the same language in

section 573.034(d)(1)). The act need only be one that can be objectively perceived and that

is to some degree probative of a finding that serious harm to others is probable if the

person is not treated. Id. Thus, reviewing all the evidence in the light most favorable to

4 This is the factual scenario of the underlying criminal case. In the Interest of D.P. Page 6 the jury’s finding, we conclude a reasonable factfinder could have formed a firm belief or

conviction that the criterion of whether D.P. was likely to cause serious harm to others

was true. Accordingly, the evidence is legally sufficient to support the jury’s finding that

D.P. was likely to cause serious harm to others.

D.P. next contends the evidence is factually insufficient to support the jury’s

finding that D.P. is likely to cause serious harm to others because the jury could not have

believed Dr. Yeatts, a psychologist, over Dr. Packard, the psychiatrist in charge of D.P.’s

treatment. We disagree with D.P.

Dr. Packard did not see D.P. regularly as a patient; rather, the nurse practitioner

saw D.P. most of the time and reported back to Dr. Packard. Dr. Packard did not think

D.P. was a danger to others because he believed D.P. only talked about his delusions and

feared for his safety and that D.P. had no threatening-type of behavior even though Dr.

Packard had previously read the police report and read the indictment to the jury in court.

Further, Dr. Packard did not indicate that he met with the family regarding D.P.’s

condition or their thoughts or fears of him being released.

Dr. Yeatts, on the other hand, met personally with D.P. two times, for a total of

about two hours, a month before the commitment hearing. Based on D.P.’s statements,

Dr. Yeatts knew that D.P. continued to hold on to the same delusion as when he arrived

at the hospital and that D.P. still thought the person he targeted with his vehicle was tied

to the mafia, was evil, and was a threat to his family. Dr. Yeatts also reviewed collateral

reports, including those from D.P.’s treatment team, his inpatient records, and records

that came from D.P.’s admission-to-the-facility packet. He spoke with D.P.’s family and

In the Interest of D.P. Page 7 knew they were afraid of him. He knew D.P. had made threats to them. Further, he

understood that D.P. remained intent on acting on his delusions and was only limited in

doing so because of D.P.’s confinement.

Based on the entire record, and specifically the above-referenced evidence, the

factfinder could have formed a firm belief or conviction that the allegation that D.P. was

likely to cause serious harm to others was proven; and thus, the evidence was factually

sufficient to support the finding. 5 4F

Issue one is overruled.

RELEVANCE

In his second issue, D.P. complains that the trial court erred in admitting Dr.

Yeatts’s competency evaluation report into evidence because it was irrelevant, and

alternatively, if relevant, the probative value of the evaluation was outweighed by the

danger of unfair prejudice. See TEX. R. EVID. 401, 403.

We review a trial court's decision to admit or exclude evidence for an abuse of

discretion. Bay Area Healthcare Group, Ltd. v. McShane, 239 S.W.3d 231, 234 (Tex. 2007).

Erroneous admission of evidence is harmless unless the error probably (though not

necessarily) caused the rendition of an improper judgment. Reliance Steel & Aluminum

Co. v. Sevcik, 267 S.W.3d 867, 871 (Tex. 2008). A reviewing court must evaluate the whole

case from voir dire to closing argument, considering the "state of the evidence, the

5 Because only one statutory criterion must be met under section 574.035(a)(2), see TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE § 574.035(a); see State ex rel. D.L.S., 446 S.W.3d 506, 515 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2014, no pet.); L.S. v. State, 867 S.W.2d 838, 841 (Tex. App.—Austin 1993, no writ), we need not discuss the sufficiency of the evidence regarding the other criteria about which D.P. complains in his first issue. In the Interest of D.P. Page 8 strength and weakness of the case, and the verdict." Id.

Near the beginning of Dr. Yeatts’s testimony, the State sought to introduce Dr.

Yeatts’s “Competency to Stand Trial Evaluation” into evidence. D.P. objected. After

arguments by both sides, the trial court overruled D.P.’s objection, and the evaluation

report was admitted into evidence. Assuming without deciding that the trial court

abused its discretion in admitting the exhibit over D.P.’s relevance objection, we next

determine whether D.P. was harmed.

In his argument supporting his relevance objection, D.P. was concerned that the

issue of competency was not before the jury and would likely color the jury’s opinions

on the issues properly before it. However, the jury had been exposed to the concept of

competency much earlier in the trial and without objection. In voir dire, the State

informed the jury that it was not deciding competency; rather, it was deciding whether

D.P. needed more treatment after being found incompetent. The State also explained the

concept of competency to stand trial. Further, Dr. Yeatts explained, prior to the admission

of the report and without objection, that he routinely performs competency evaluations

and performed such an evaluation on D.P. After the admission of the evaluation, Dr.

Yeatts never mentioned competency regarding his conclusions about whether D.P.

should be committed again. Competency was not mentioned again until cross-

examination by D.P. After Dr. Yeatts’s testimony, no discussion of competency was

made, even in argument to the jury. The trial court received no notes from the jury on

the subject of competency. And although the verdict was not unanimous, there was no

indication that the concept of competency was the culprit. Thus, reviewing the entire

In the Interest of D.P. Page 9 record, we cannot say that the assumed error probably caused the rendition of an

improper judgment. 6 5F

Accordingly, D.P.’s second issue is overruled.

CONCLUSION

Having overruled each issue on appeal, we affirm the trial court’s Judgment and

Order of Civil Commitment; Charges Pending (Mental Illness) under Article 46B.102.

TOM GRAY Chief Justice

Before Chief Justice Gray, Justice Smith, and Justice Rose 7 6F

Affirmed Opinion delivered and filed December 31, 2024 [CV06]

6 With this disposition, we need not discuss D.P.’s alternative Rule 403 argument.

7 The Honorable Jeff Rose, Senior Chief Justice (Retired) of the Third Court of Appeals, sitting by assignment of the Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court. See TEX. GOV’T CODE §§ 74.003, 75.002, 75.003. In the Interest of D.P. Page 10