Opinion ID: 2441011
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Nicklasson's Mental Health Records

Text: Skillicorn next claims that the trial court erred by denying his request to examine the mental health reports or statements of his co-defendant, Allen Nicklasson. He argues this denial violated his rights under Rule 25, the Missouri Constitution, and the United States Constitution's Due Process Clause, Compulsory Process Clause, and Eighth Amendment. Skillicorn seeks, as remedy to the purported error, an in camera inspection of Nicklasson's mental health evaluations by the trial court or this Court to determine whether they contain evidence exculpating Skillicorn of the requisite mental state for first degree murder. The state argues that the mental health evaluation of Nicklasson is protected by the physician-patient privilege created by section 491.060(5), RSMo 1994. Usually, if medical records are disclosed to a third party, the privilege is waived as to the whole world. See State v. Lewis, 735 S.W.2d 183, 187 (Mo.App.1987). However, here, it appears the evaluation was performed at the state's instance pursuant to chapter 552, RSMo. We need not address the relation between mental health evaluations performed pursuant to chapter 552 and section 491.060's physician-patient privilege. The record in this case indicates the trial court performed an in camera inspection of the documents at issue and found them irrelevant to Skillicorn's defense. [2] Skillicorn has already obtained the remedy he seeks. Point Four is denied.