Opinion ID: 1763868
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Admissibility of Static-99

Text: Lastly, Van Orden argues that the trial court abused its discretion in admitting, over his objection, testimony about the results of the Static-99 actuarial instrument because the instrument only predicts group risk, not individual risk, and this will confuse the jury. The trial court's decision to allow evidence at trial is reviewed for an abuse of discretion. See In the Matter of the Care and Treatment of Murrell, 215 S.W.3d 96, 109 (Mo. banc 2007). The Court addressed the same argument regarding the admissibility of testimony as to the results of the Static-99 in Murrell . The Court found that the testimony was admissible pursuant to section 490.065.3 in cases involving the civil commitment of a sexually violent predator so long as the instrument is used in conjunction with a full clinical evaluation. Id. at 110-114. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the results of the Static-99. Dr. Mandracchia did not rely solely on the instrument to support the belief that Van Orden has a high risk of reconviction of a sexually violent offense, but conducted an independent review of his risk factors, including anti-social personality disorder, alcoholism, offense pattern of sexually deviant behavior, and the fact that he offended while under supervision.