Court Opinion

ID: 164585
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2010-08-14 08:25:00+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:17:30.958912
License: Public Domain

F I L E D
                                                                      United States Court of Appeals
                                                                              Tenth Circuit
                     UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                              APR 28 2004
                                   TENTH CIRCUIT
                                                                         PATRICK FISHER
                                                                                  Clerk

 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

          Plaintiff-Appellee,

 v.                                                        No. 03-4282
                                                            (D. Utah)
 CRUZ JOAQUIN VISINAIZ,                            (D.Ct. No. 03-CR-701-DAK)

          Defendant-Appellant.

                                ORDER AND JUDGMENT *

Before MURPHY, Circuit Judge, BRORBY, Senior Circuit Judge, and
O’BRIEN, Circuit Judge.

      Cruz Joaquin Visinaiz was indicted on one count of second degree murder.

This appeal stems from a district court order granting the government’s motion

for a psychiatric evaluation of the defendant in response to Mr. Visinaiz’s notice

of his intent to introduce expert witness testimony as to his mental condition at

the time of the offense. Mr. Visinaiz contends the district court erred when it

      *
          This order and judgment is not binding precedent except under the doctrines of
law of the case, res judicata and collateral estoppel. The court generally disfavors the
citation of orders and judgments; nevertheless, an order and judgment may be cited under
the terms and conditions of 10th Cir. R. 36.3.
ordered him committed to a mental institution for a period of up to seventy-five

days for psychiatric evaluation.

      The government charged Mr. Visinaiz with second degree murder within

Indian Country in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1111(a) and 1153(a). The district

court then detained Mr. Visinaiz pending trial, finding him a serious flight risk

and a serious danger to the community. Subsequently, Mr. Visinaiz filed a Notice

and an Amended Notice of Expert Witness Testimony of Mental Condition

pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 12.2(b), stating he may introduce

evidence through an expert witness at trial as to his mental condition at the time

of the alleged murder. Specifically, the Amended Notice states “the expert may

testify about Mr. Visinaiz’s state of mind at the time of the decedent’s death,

given his medical diagnoses for agoraphobia, panic disorder and alcohol abuse.”

Mr. Visinaiz explained this testimony would support his theory of self-defense by

establishing the reasonableness of his subjective beliefs at the time of the alleged

murder. In conjunction, Mr. Visinaiz also provided the government the report of

an expert witness intended for use at trial.

      In response, the government moved for a psychiatric examination of Mr.

Visinaiz, pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. Proc. 12.2(c)(1)(B) and 18 U.S.C. §§ 4241(a),

                                          -2-
4242(a), and 4247(b). In the alternative, the government moved to exclude the

expert witness’ report and testimony, asserting they were irrelevant and

immaterial to Mr. Visinaiz’s self-defense theory.

      Without conducting a hearing or waiting for a response from Mr. Visinaiz,

the district court ordered Mr. Visinaiz committed to an appropriate facility for a

psychiatric, insanity, and diminished capacity examination not to exceed ninety

days, with the possibility for a fifteen-day extension, on the examiners’

appropriate request. 1

      Mr. Visinaiz filed a motion to vacate this commitment order and attached a

letter written by his expert witness psychologist indicating his competency to

stand trial. During the hearing on his motion to vacate, Mr. Visinaiz’s attorney

argued commitment was unnecessary and clarified Mr. Visinaiz’s intent to rely

only on a self-defense theory and not raise an insanity or diminished capacity

defense at trial. Although the district court heard oral argument, it took no

evidence and made no findings of fact regarding Mr. Visinaiz’s past or present

      1
        The order and amended order were filed pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 4241(a)
allowing examination to determine competency to stand trial, 4242(a) allowing
examination to determine sanity at the time of the offense, and 4247(b) explaining the
procedures to be used in conducting these examinations.

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mental state. After the hearing, the district court reaffirmed its decision, but

amended the order to limit the time of evaluation to seventy-five days. This

appeal followed and the district court stayed its order for in-custody psychiatric

evaluation pending resolution of this interlocutory appeal.

      Mr. Visinaiz raises one issue on appeal: whether the district court erred

when it committed him for psychiatric evaluation based on his Rule 12.2(b) notice

to present evidence regarding his mental state at the time of the offense,

especially in light of its failure to take evidence or make findings of fact for the

basis of its decision.

JURISDICTION

      Before reaching the merits of this case, we must first determine whether we

have jurisdiction to hear this appeal. Specifically, we must determine whether the

district court’s commitment order is immediately appealable. Generally, under

the final judgment rule, this court only exercises jurisdiction over appeals from

“final decisions” from the district courts. 28 U.S.C. § 1291. In the criminal

context, this means a defendant is required to await conviction and sentencing

before bringing an appeal. Flanagan v. United States, 465 U.S. 259, 263 (1984).

However, the collateral order doctrine of Cohen v. Beneficial Indus. Loan Corp.,

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337 U.S. 541, 545-47 (1949), provides limited exceptions to the final judgment

rule for interlocutory appeals. Under the collateral order doctrine, a litigant may

seek immediate review of an order if it “(1) conclusively determine[s] the

disputed question, (2) resolve[s] an important issue completely separate from the

merits of the action, and (3) [is] effectively unreviewable on appeal from a final

judgment.” Midland Asphalt Corp. v. United States, 489 U.S. 794, 799 (1989)

(quotation marks and citation omitted).

      It is clear the first factor of the collateral order doctrine is present in this

case because the district court’s order conclusively determined Mr. Visinaiz

should be committed for psychiatric examination. See United States v. Deters,

143 F.3d 577, 581 (10th Cir. 1998) (concluding a district court’s order confining

a defendant for a competency evaluation satisfied the first factor of the collateral

order doctrine.)

      Next, the order also resolved an important issue completely separate from

the merits of the action. Specifically, Mr. Visinaiz will suffer a loss of liberty by

his involuntary commitment, and, this issue is completely independent of Mr.

Visinaiz’s guilt or innocence of his second degree murder charge. Although the

government argues Mr. Visinaiz suffers no loss of liberty by being committed to

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the mental hospital because he is already being detained pending trial, a

significant difference exists between the two types of detainment.

      This proposition is illustrated by the Supreme Court’s ruling in Vitek v.

Jones, where it recognized “[t]he loss of liberty produced by an involuntary

commitment is more than a loss of freedom from confinement.” 445 U.S. 480,

492 (1980). 2 In Vitek, the Court struck down as unconstitutional a Nebraska

statute authorizing transfer of an inmate to another facility without a hearing for

examination, study, or treatment if the Director of Correctional Services found the

inmate suffered from a mental disease or defect. Id. at 483-84. In concluding the

transfer constituted “the kind of deprivations of liberty that required procedural

protections,” id. at 494, the Court explained “[i]t is indisputable that commitment

to a mental hospital can engender adverse social consequences to the individual

and that whether we label this phenomena stigma or choose to call it something

else ... we recognized that it can occur and that it can have a very significant

impact on the individual,” id. at 492 (quoting Addington v. Texas, 441 U.S. 418,

425-26 (1979)) (quotation marks and alteration omitted). Therefore, Mr.

      2
         As a result of the district court’s detention order, a review of Mr. Visinaiz’s
previously filed motion to revoke detention before another judge was deferred until Mr.
Visinaiz’s “competency issues [were] resolved.”

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Visinaiz’s transfer to a mental hospital is an important issue separate from his

pretrial detainment and the merits of his case, and we conclude the second

collateral order doctrine factor is satisfied.

      Finally, we conclude the last factor is also satisfied because the order

would be unreviewable on appeal. Specifically, post-confinement review could

not provide adequate relief for Mr. Visinaiz’s immediate loss of liberty during his

commitment. Deters, 143 F.3d at 581 (citing United States v. Weissberger, 951

F.2d 392, 396-97 (D.C. Cir. 1991). We determine we have jurisdiction over this

interlocutory appeal and now address the merits of Mr. Visinaiz’s claims.

ANALYSIS

      Mr. Visinaiz argues the district court erred when it ordered him committed

for a competency examination in response to his notice of intent to present expert

witness testimony of his mental state at the time of the offense, pursuant to Rule

12.2(b). Specifically, Mr. Visinaiz asserts the ordered involuntary commitment

for up to seventy-five days without reasonable cause violates his rights to

substantive and procedural due process. While we agree with Mr. Visinaiz’s

general argument and conclude the district court erred in committing him for

psychiatric evaluation, we avoid deciding the constitutional issues raised in this

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appeal because the merits of this case can be resolved on narrower grounds. See

ANR Pipeline Co. v. Lafaver, 150 F.3d 1178, 1186 n.8 (10th Cir. 1998) (holding

“federal courts should avoid reaching the merits of a constitutional issue when the

case may be decided on [other] grounds”), cert. denied, 525 U.S. 1122 (1999). In

reviewing the appropriateness of a Rule 12.2 order for psychiatric confinement,

we accept the district court’s findings of fact unless they are clearly erroneous,

and give appropriate deference to the district court’s conclusions. See Deters,

143 F.3d at 584; In re Newchurch, 807 F.2d 404, 412 (5th Cir. 1986).

      Under Rule 12.2, a defendant must provide the government with notice of

intent before trial to (a) assert a defense of insanity at the time of the offense, or

(b) introduce expert evidence relating to a mental disease, defect or condition

bearing on the issue of guilt. Fed. R. Crim. Proc. 12.2(a) and (b). According to

the Advisory Committee Notes, the purpose of this rule is to provide the

government with adequate time to prepare to meet the issue with expert

testimony. See Committee Notes, 1983 Amendments, West Federal Criminal

Code and Rules (2004 ed.) at 86. After notice under Rule 12.2(a), the district

court must, on the government’s motion, order the defendant examined under 18

U.S.C. § 4242. Fed. R. Crim. Proc. 12.2(c)(1)(B). Alternatively, after notice

under Rule 12.2(b), the district court may, on the government’s motion, order

                                           -8-
examination of the defendant under procedures ordered by the court. Id.

       As previously noted, Mr. Visinaiz filed notice pursuant to Rule 12.2(b) of

possible expert testimony of his mental condition at the time of the murder.

Although it is unclear whether the district court ordered the examination on

grounds of incompetency, 3 it is clear the district court ordered Mr. Visinaiz’s

examination under Rule 12.2(a) to determine his sanity at the time of the offense.

In its order, the district court specifically ordered Mr. Visinaiz’s examiners to

provide opinions on Mr. Visinaiz’s current “mental status, including insanity and

diminished capacity” as well as his mental status at the time of the offense. Also,

at the hearing on Mr. Visinaiz’s motion to vacate the district court’s psychiatric

examination order, the district court expressed its view Mr. Visinaiz’s self-

defense argument could be construed as an insanity defense. We disagree with

the district court’s assessment of Mr. Visinaiz’s defense.

       3
          At the hearing, the district court expressly acknowledged Mr. Visinaiz did not
raise the issue of his competency to stand trial, and it did not “suspect” Mr. Visinaiz was
incompetent. Nevertheless, the district court issued the commitment orders, in part,
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 4241(a), regarding competency examinations, and noted at the
hearing it was “unsure” of Mr. Visinaiz’s competency. In the event the district court
issued the commitment order based, in part, on a question of competency, our holding is
the same as that provided with respect to its decision for an insanity commitment and
examination.

                                            -9-
      First, if the district court ordered the commitment to evaluate competency,

no evidence in the record suggests Mr. Visinaiz was incompetent to stand trial

and the district court made no findings to this effect. Similarly, as to commitment

to determine sanity, no evidence in the record indicates Mr. Visinaiz intended to

rely on an insanity defense, nor did the district court make any findings of fact on

his sanity for the purpose of ordering commitment. 4 Instead, it is clear Mr.

Visinaiz never gave notice of an intent to rely on a defense of insanity as

mandated by Rule 12.2(a), and, in fact, during the hearing on the district court’s

commitment order, he repeatedly and specifically denounced any intent to use this

defense, or even a defense of diminished capacity. Regardless of the district

court’s views on the substance of Mr. Visinaiz’s proposed defense, it must honor

the choice of a competent defendant not to raise the insanity defense. See United

States v. Marble, 940 F.2d 1543, 1548 (D.C. Cir. 1991). Given the lack of

evidentiary support or findings for commitment for either an insanity or

incompetency examination, we conclude the district court erred in committing Mr.

Visinaiz for an in-custody examination under Rule 12.2(a).

      4
         Moreover, while Mr. Visinaiz’s counsel indicated at the hearing that the court
could interview his client and the two “investigators,” also attending the hearing and
available to testify, to make an initial determination on his sanity for the purpose of
deciding the commitment issue, the district court took no evidence.

                                           -10-
      We next turn to the issue of a mental examination of Mr. Visinaiz pursuant

to his notice under Rule 12.2(b). Under Rule 12.2(c)(1)(B), the district court

“may, upon the government’s motion, order the defendant to be examined under

procedures ordered by the court” when a defendant provides notice of his intent to

introduce expert evidence relating to a mental condition bearing on the issue of

guilt, as provided under Rule 12.2(b). See also Committee Notes, 2002

Amendments at 88. Although district courts have been given discretion in

defining the procedures to be used in examining a defendant who provides Rule

12.2(b) notice, 5 such discretion is provided to accommodate for the many kinds of

expert testimony which could be presented regarding a defendant’s mental

condition. Unlike evidence of a defendant’s competency or sanity, expert

evidence relating to a mental disease, defect, or other condition, is extremely

varied, requiring a case-by-case analysis to determine how extensive an

examination is warranted in order for the government to fairly prepare for this

evidence at trial. See United States v. Davis, 93 F.3d 1286, 1293 (6th Cir. 1996).

In instances where a district court finds the claimed mental condition to be

complex, a greater examination might be warranted, whereas for minor

      5
         See Committee Notes, 2002 Amendments at 88 (noting no statute applies to
12.2(b) examinations, but explaining that for Rule 12.2(b) examinations “the court is
given the discretion to specify the procedures to be used. In so doing, the court may
certainly be informed by other provisions, which address hearings on a defendant’s
mental condition. See, e.g., 18 U.S.C. § 4241, et seq.”).

                                           -11-
conditions, a more limited examination would suffice. Accordingly, the

extensiveness of the examination may determine the length of such an

examination.

      In so concluding, we are mindful both Mr. Visinaiz and the government

have a strong interest in ensuring Mr. Visinaiz is provided with a speedy trial.

See Deters, 143, F.3d at 584 (citing U.S. Const. amend. VI; Barker v. Wingo, 407

U.S. 514, 515 (1972)). No defendant should be arbitrarily detained if not

warranted by the facts of the case. Cf. Deters, 143 F.3d at 584 (concluding a

district court should make findings of fact concerning the need for commitment

under Rule 12.2(a) in conducting a psychiatric evaluation to determine

competency and sanity at the time of the offense); Newchurch, 807 F.2d at 410

(concluding district court must rely on evidence that commitment is necessary to

detain a defendant to determine sanity and mental condition at the time of the

offense.) Therefore, we conclude a district court should make findings of fact

concerning the need for commitment. Those findings of fact as to the

appropriateness of confinement will be accepted by appellate courts unless clearly

erroneous. Deters, 143 F.3d at 584.

      In so doing, we recognize some circuits have concluded Rule 12.2, by

                                        -12-
itself, and despite recent amendments, does not authorize commitment or “in-

custody” examinations. See United States v. Rinaldi, 351 F.3d 285, 289 (7th Cir.

2003); Davis, 93 F.3d at 1295 (6th Cir.). We also recognize the statutory scheme

allowing courts to temporarily confine defendants during psychiatric evaluations

under 18 U.S.C. § 4241 and § 4242 are expressly limited to competency and

insanity determinations, see Deters, 143 F.3d at 578 (relying on 18 U.S.C.

§ 4247(b)). Similarly, the 2002 amendments to Rule 12.2 indicate no statutory

counterpart exists for Rule 12.2(b) examinations, but that, in exercising its

discretion, the court may be “informed” by other provisions that address hearings,

including for example, “18 U.S.C. § 4241, et seq.” Committee Notes, 2002

Amendments at 88. We also recognize the court’s inherent authority to order

mental examinations, see United States v. McSherry, 226 F.3d 153, 156-57 (2d

Cir. 2000), but also recognize some courts have held such authority only applies

to noncustodial examinations. See Rinaldi 351 F.3d at 289 (holding made after

2002 amendments); Davis, 93 F.3d at 1295-96 (holding made prior to 2002

amendments). Consequently, while it is clear the district court has authority to

order a noncustodial examination under Rule 12.2(c) for mental conditions raised

under Rule 12.2(b), it is not as clear with regard to custodial examinations.

      We need not decide the issue of whether the district court has authority to

                                         -13-
order custodial examination under Rule 12.2(b) because nothing in the record here

supports the district court’s order for commitment for the purposes of a mental

examination. Therefore, the district court, under the circumstances presented,

erred in ordering commitment of Mr. Visinaiz for a mental examination.

CONCLUSION

      For the foregoing reasons, we conclude the district court erred in ordering

Mr. Visinaiz committed for psychiatric evaluation pursuant to either Rule 12.2(a)

or Rule 12.2(b). We leave to the district court’s discretion the procedures applied

for any noncustodial mental examination of Mr. Visinaiz under Rule 12.2(b).

      The order of the district court is REVERSED and REMANDED for

further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

                                      Entered by the Court:

                                      WADE BRORBY
                                      United States Circuit Judge

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