Opinion ID: 152635
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Jury Instructions and Verdict

Text: At the conclusion of Young's civil commitment trial, the judge instructed the jury that it could only find Young to be a sexually dangerous person if the Commonwealth had proven beyond a reasonable doubt that (1) Young had been convicted of a sexual offense as defined by the relevant statute, (2) Young suffered from a mental abnormality or personality disorder, and (3) as a result of that abnormality or disorder, Young was likely to engage in sexual offenses in the future if not confined to a secure facility. The judge made clear that the Commonwealth was proceeding under the theory that Young suffered from a personality disorder, and defined personality disorder as a congenital or acquired physical or mental condition ... that results in a general lack of power to control sexual impulse[s]. After deliberating, the jury found that Young was a sexually dangerous person.