Opinion ID: 712913
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Mental and Emotional Condition

Text: 13 The court departed down from the guideline range based in part upon its determination that Barton suffered from a significant aberrational kind of mental and emotional circumstance. See United States v. Lara, 905 F.2d 599, 603 (2d Cir.1990) (permitting downward departure where a defendant's mental and emotional condition presents an extraordinary situation); U.S.S.G. § 5H1.3, p.s. (Mental and emotional conditions are not ordinarily relevant in determining whether a sentence should be outside the applicable guideline range, except as provided in [§ 5K2.0 et seq.]); U.S.S.G. § 5K2.0, p.s. ([D]eparture from the applicable guideline range is warranted only if [a factor considered by the Guidelines] is present to a degree substantially in excess of that which ordinarily is involved in the offense.). Its findings rested upon a two-page letter by Barton's treating psychiatrist, Matthew J. Klein, M.D., submitted to the court in connection with Barton's release on bail. The letter described Barton's condition as follows: 14 My clinical impression of Mr. Barton is that he has had an untreated depression for many years in addition to the significant emotional problems which brought him into legal difficulties. His characterological problems are indicative of significant identity confusion and difficulty in perceiving himself as an adult in an adult world. Anxiety and depression intensify his fantasy life which involoves [sic] child sexual imagery. He shows no evidence of psychosis. His sense of morality is significantly intact. He appreciates both the societal and moral constraints of his behavior.... In many areas of his life, Mr. Barton has demonstrated responsibility, civic mindedness, and achievement. 15 Although the court acknowledged that Barton was not an extraordinarily mentally health aberrant individual, it surmised that Barton's mental and emotional condition constituted an integral part of the conduct in question which detract[ed] from the intent to violate the law, justifying a downward departure under § 5K2.0. 16 The evidence does not support a downward departure on the ground that Barton suffered from an extraordinary mental or emotional condition. Despite the gravity of Barton's mental health disorders, Dr. Klein noted that Barton shows no evidence of psychosis, that [h]is sense of morality is significantly intact, and that [h]e appreciates both the societal and moral constraints of his behavior. Moreover, the court discouraged the government from examining Dr. Klein and from introducing additional evidence regarding the psychological condition of other individuals convicted of Barton's crime. Cf. United States v. Johnson, 979 F.2d 396, 401 (6th Cir.1992).