Opinion ID: 6345005
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Commitment Hearing

Text: Carl’s treating psychiatrist — who signed the petition — testified as an expert witness at the September 14 commitment hearing. She testified that she had observed Carl at least five or six times, once for a forty-minute initial evaluation and the other times for five- to ten-minute visits. She diagnosed Carl with chronic paranoid schizophrenia. She also testified that Carl experienced hallucinations and paranoia and that she was not able to have a rational conversation with him. Carl’s treating psychiatrist provided context about each of the three grounds for commitment that had been alleged in the petition. First, she expressed concern that Carl would be at risk of harming people outside of API. She said that although Carl had not attempted to hurt anyone while at API, he had a “whip” made from a rolled-up towel in his room and talked about using it if somebody tried to bully him. She believed Carl could pose a risk of harm to people outside of API because his paranoia and “deception in reality orientation” might lead to perceiving and pursuing non-existent threats. Second, the treating psychiatrist testified that she was concerned Carl would harm himself by ending up in danger. And third, the treating psychiatrist testified that she believed he was gravely disabled because he might not be able to get proper care for his basic needs and likely lacked the ability to keep himself safe. The State argued in closing that the evidence presented to show Carl was a danger to himself was more pertinent to grave disability and should be considered under that ground for commitment. The State did not specify which type of grave disability it was referring to. Carl argued that the State had withdrawn the danger-to-self ground for commitment. Carl then addressed argument to the “two other grounds the -5- 7596 [S]tate is moving forward on” — danger to others and grave disability based on distress and deterioration. Carl insisted that his mere possession of a rolled-up towel “whip” was insufficient to establish danger to others. Carl admitted that the issue of grave disability was a “closer question” but argued that he could take care of his own needs upon release based on evidence that he was eating snacks regularly and lack of evidence about his showering habits. Carl also argued that the State had not offered any evidence concerning his baseline before his admission to API. Thus, Carl argued, the State had not shown a “substantial deterioration of [his] previous ability to function”9 and consequently had not proven grave disability based on distress and deterioration. C. Magistrate Judge’s Recommendations And Review By The Superior Court The magistrate judge declined to recommend that the superior court commit Carl on the grounds of danger to self or others.10 In addition, the magistrate judge found that the State had not met its burden to show grave disability based on distress and deterioration because it had failed to establish “a previous baseline” for Carl. But the magistrate judge found that the State had established grave disability based on extreme neglect.11 In support of this finding, the magistrate judge cited the treating psychiatrist’s “very credible” testimony that Carl “require[d] prompting for food and basic hygiene” and lacked the ability to look for shelter due to his “disconnect[] from reality.” The magistrate judge pointed to Carl’s regular interruptions during the hearing, which he 9 AS 47.30.915(9)(B). 10 See Alaska R. Prob. 2 (providing for appointment of standing master to conduct civil commitment proceedings and establishing process for superior court review of master’s recommendations). 11 AS 47.30.915(9)(A). -6- 7596 termed “stream of [consciousness] speech,” as evidence supporting his grave disability finding. Carl objected orally and in writing to the magistrate judge’s recommendation to commit him based on extreme neglect. At the hearing Carl argued that because Alaska is a notice pleading state, the State “need[ed] to be clear about what [it] moved for,” and that because the State pled grave disability based only on distress and deterioration, the magistrate judge could not sua sponte find Carl gravely disabled based on extreme neglect. The magistrate judge rejected this argument, reasoning that Carl had received sufficient notice of the allegations against him. In written objections to the magistrate judge’s findings, Carl elaborated that the petitioners did not mark the box alleging extreme neglect and that committing him on this theory of grave disability violated his right to due process. The State responded that the facts alleged in the petition gave Carl sufficient notice that the State intended to prove grave disability under either definition, and that the magistrate judge’s oral ruling gave the parties notice and an opportunity to adjust their cases accordingly. The State argued that, “[i]f nothing else, [the superior] court has the discretion to order a de novo hearing.” The superior court adopted the magistrate judge’s recommendations in full, ruling that Carl had received adequate notice: Alaska is a notice pleading state. Civil Rule 8(a) requires a “short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.” Section 8(e)(1) notes that “no technical forms of pleadings or motions are required.” Here, API sought relief under the definition of “Gravely Disabled” and explained the reasoning for that determination, putting [Carl] on notice of the claim. Notice was proper and based on my de novo review the master’s recommendations are adopted in full. Carl appeals. -7- 7596