Court Opinion

ID: 3733434
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-07-06 07:00:09.181852+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:11:09.209319
License: Public Domain

OPINION.
On January 3, 1996, defendant-appellant, Terrence S. Bowen, was found not guilty by reason of insanity on two counts of attempted child stealing.  Based upon medical evaluations and other evidence presented to the trial court, Bowen was found to be a mentally ill person subject to hospitalization by court order.  The least-restrictive-commitment alternative was determined to be a commitment to the Pauline Warfield Lewis Center.
In May 1996, Bowen's treating physician and case workers submitted reports to the trial court recommending a modification of Bowen's commitment to conditional release.  Bowen's request was denied; however, in August 1996, Bowen again requested conditional release, which the trial court granted.
In October 1997, the trial court, in accordance with statute, held a hearing regarding Bowen's continued commitment.  The trial court determined that Bowen was still mentally ill and subject to hospitalization by court order, and that the least-restrictive-commitment alternative was to continue Bowen in his conditional-release status.
In October 1999, Bowen's case once again came before the trial court for review.  Although the treating physician's report, prepared by Dr. Tracey Skale, was neutral regarding termination of Bowen's commitment, Bowen, at the hearing, made an oral motion for termination of his commitment.  The state, which was entitled by statute to have its own doctor evaluate Bowen prior to any termination or change in conditions, moved for a continuance to allow time for that evaluation.  Additionally, Bowen moved for an additional medical evaluation to be conducted by a Dr. Edward Hackett, which the trial court granted.
Bowen was evaluated by Dr. Nancy Schmidtgoessling from the local forensic center.  Although Bowen did not submit an evaluation of his own from Dr. Hackett, there was an evaluation submitted to the court by a Dr. Glenn Weaver.  Although the record is not clear on whose behalf Dr. Weaver submitted the evaluation, Bowen's counsel informed this court during oral argument that Dr. Weaver had been substituted for Dr. Hackett.
The trial court held a hearing on Bowen's motion for termination of commitment on November 19, 1999.  At that hearing, both the state and Bowen stipulated to the submission of the evaluation prepared by Dr. Schmidtgoessling; however, Bowen refused to stipulate to the evaluation prepared by Dr. Weaver. Over Bowen's objection, the trial court admitted into evidence Dr. Weaver's evaluation of Bowen.  Based upon the mental evaluations submitted by Dr. Skale, Dr. Schmidtgoessling, and Dr. Weaver, the trial court denied Bowen's request for termination of commitment and continued Bowen on conditional release. *Page 44 
In his appeal from the trial court's decision, Bowen claims in his first assignment of error that the court erred in allowing into evidence the evaluation prepared by Dr. Weaver.  In his second assignment of error, Bowen further claims that the court erred in overruling his motion to terminate commitment, because the state had failed to carry its burden to show that Bowen remained mentally ill and subject to hospitalization by court order.
With respect to the submission of Dr. Weaver's report, the issue turns on the language of R.C. 2945.401(D)(1)(c), which allows the state to "introduce the evaluation report or present other evidence at the hearing in accordance with the Rules of Evidence."  Id.
In interpreting a statute, we must give effect to the legislative intent reflected in its language.  See State ex rel.Pennington v. Gundler (1996), 75 Ohio St. 3d 171, 173,661 N.E.2d 1049, 1051; State v. Patterson (1998), 128 Ohio App. 3d 174,714 N.E.2d 409:
  Words and phrases shall be read in context and construed according to the rules of grammar and common usage.  Words and phrases that have acquired a technical or particular meaning, whether by legislative definition or otherwise, shall be construed accordingly.
R.C. 1.42.  The Supreme Court of Ohio has held that the word "or" indicates "an alternative between different or unlike things."  Pizza v. Sunset Fireworks Co., Inc. (1986), 25 Ohio St. 3d 1,4-5, 494 N.E.2d 1115, 1118.  It appears from the language of R.C. 2945.401(D)(1)(c) that the evaluation report is to be considered separately from all other evidence, because the word "or" separates it from other evidence presented by the state.
Additionally, modifying words or phrases "only apply to the words or phrases immediately preceding or subsequent to the word, and will not modify the other words, phrases or clauses more remote, unless the intent of the legislature clearly require[s] such an extension."  In re Shaffer (N.D.Ohio. 1998), 228 B.R. 892,894.  Consequently, the statutory phrase "or present other evidence at the hearing in accordance with the rules of evidence" does not pertain to the evaluation report.  Based upon the purpose of this code section, which is to provide a mental evaluation for the court's review, and the foregoing rules of statutory construction, we interpret R.C. 2945.401(D)(1)(c) to allow the state to introduce an evaluation report at a termination-of-commitment hearing as a matter of law, while only requiring compliance with the evidentiary rules for any other matter it may seek to introduce into evidence.
Our interpretation of this provision is further supported by the fact that all other psychiatric reports relied upon by the trial court in evaluating a *Page 45 
defendant's mental capacity must be submitted directly to the trial court.  See R.C. 2945.401(C) and 2945.401(D)(1)(b); see, also, R.C. 2945.40(D) and 2945.371(G).  In cases where competence is at issue, either party can submit evaluations to the court at the competency hearing without stipulations and over the objections of the opposing party.  See R.C. 2945.37(E).  Also, when reviewing the factors relevant to a termination-of-commitment decision, the court is not limited by the factors enumerated in the statute, but may consider any other matter brought to the court's attention.  See R.C. 2945.401(E). Thus, because any evaluation of a defendant's mental state is a factor relevant to the court's decision regarding termination of commitment, the court may, and should for public-safety purposes, consider any mental evaluation brought to the court's attention.
Because we hold that mental evaluations may be accepted by the court when it considers the possible termination of an insanity acquittee's commitment, the trial court did not err in this case when it allowed the state to submit Dr. Weaver's evaluation into evidence and considered that evaluation in making its determination of Bowen's mental status.  We, therefore, overrule Bowen's first assignment of error.
In the second assignment of error, Bowen claims that the trial court erred when it denied his motion to terminate his commitment. We disagree.
In order to retain jurisdiction over a defendant found not guilty by reason of insanity, the trial court must continue to find, at periodic hearings, that there is clear and convincing evidence that the defendant remains a mentally ill person subject to hospitalization by court order.  See R.C. 2945.401(G)(1); see, also, State v. Hubbard (Nov. 5, 1999), Trumbull App. No. 97-T-0144, unreported.  "Clear and convincing evidence is that which will produce in the mind of the trier of fact a firm belief or conviction as to the facts sought to be established."  State v.Kinman (1996), 109 Ohio App. 3d 95, 99, 671 N.E.2d 1083, 1086, citing In re Adoption of Holcomb (1985), 18 Ohio St. 3d 361,481 N.E.2d 613.  Although R.C. 5122.01(B) defines "a mentally ill person subject to hospitalization by court order," see R.C.2945.37(A)(8), the court must review the factors set forth in R.C.2945.401(E).  We, therefore, review the record to determine if those factors, or any additional factors, were properly considered by the trial court in its decision not to terminate Bowen's commitment.
Dr. Skale's evaluation indicated that Bowen had a schizoaffective disorder and an alcohol-abuse history, both of which were in full remission.  The evaluation also indicated that although Bowen showed no risks factors, he would have to take psychotropic medications indefinitely; if Bowen failed to take his medications (at the time, they included Depakote, Doxepin, and Haldol), he would be *Page 46 
at risk of rapid "decompensation."  It was further noted that Bowen himself "believ[ed] that he need[ed] ongoing treatment."
The medical evaluation prepared by the local forensic center's clinical psychologist, Dr. Nancy Schmidtgoessling, indicated that Bowen was experiencing a number of major stresses in his life. Bowen informed Dr. Schmidtgoessling that, when he knew that he needed to make money, he would skip his nighttime medication. Bowen stated that he did this so that he would not feel tired the following day, which would then allow him to get a temporary job for the day.  Bowen also stated that his father had recently passed away, but that this did not bother him because "people [we]re born to die."  He went on to inform Dr. Schmidtgoessling that he was separated from his wife, because they always argued, and that he was living in temporary housing.  Bowen also indicated that he had a "number of ideas about `self-employment'"; however, in Dr. Schmidtgoessling's opinion, those ideas were not realistic. Dr. Schmidtgoessling's evaluation concluded that Bowen had a history of rapid "decompensation" and that his commitment should not be terminated without first relaxing some of its restrictions. Then, the issue of terminating the commitment could be revisited at a later date on the basis of whether Bowen had complied with the relaxed restrictions.
In contrast to Dr. Schmidtgoessling, Dr. Weaver reported in his evaluation that, upon discussing his father's recent death, Bowen became tearful and readily acknowledged the great loss of a key supportive figure.  Dr. Weaver also conducted psychological testing on Bowen.  Based upon these tests and his independent evaluation, Dr. Weaver concluded that Bowen "continues to show some suggestion of cognitive slippage and distractibility.  He tends to practice denial and attempts to present a front of `I'm fine.'"  Additionally, Dr. Weaver concluded that Bowen was not ready to control his own treatment, and that Bowen was in danger of becoming "non-compliant with treatment and requir[ing] hospitalization" if commitment were terminated.
Based upon the foregoing reports, we hold that the evidence clearly and convincingly supported the trial court's decision to deny Bowen's request for termination of his commitment. Therefore, we overrule Bowen's second assignment of error and affirm the trial court's judgment.
Doan, P.J., concurs.
Painter, J., concurs separately. *Page 47