From Deseret News archives:

Both sides file arguments on forcing medication for suspect in Smart case

Published: Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007 12:03 a.m. MDT
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Both sides in the kidnapping and sexual assault case against Brian David Mitchell submitted their final memorandums this week on whether the self-proclaimed prophet should be involuntarily medicated.

Third District Judge Judith Atherton will now take the case under advisement and issue a written decision at an undetermined date.

Mitchell and co-defendant Wanda Barzee, Mitchell's estranged wife, are accused of kidnapping Elizabeth Smart in June 2002. The three were found walking down State Street in Sandy nine months later. Both defendants were charged by a state grand jury with aggravated kidnapping, two counts of aggravated sexual assault, aggravated burglary and attempted aggravated kidnapping.

Both Mitchell and Barzee have been found incompetent to stand trial. Prosecutors say doctors at the Utah State Hospital have tried everything to restore Mitchell's competency except anti-psychotic medication, which he refuses to take.

In September, Atherton held a Sell hearing to determine whether Mitchell could be forced to take medication. A Sell hearing is named after the U.S. Supreme Court case that set the standard for involuntary medication. For a defendant to be forcibly medicated:

• There must be important government interest at stake.

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• The medication must be "substantially likely" to render the defendant competent.

• Medication is necessary to achieve the result.

• It is medically appropriate.

The main point of contention between the state and Mitchell's defense is what constitutes "substantial likelihood."

In its 37-page memorandum, the defense argued that prosecutors did not meet any of the Sell criteria.

"The State failed to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidenced that involuntary medication is significantly likely to restore Mitchell to competency, substantially unlikely to result in side-effects that would undermine his right to a fair trial, and in in his best interests as a patient. The State's competency restoration estimates are founded upon unreliable, unscientific and biased evidence," according to court documents.

The defense even concedes that it's unlikely Mitchell will be set free. Therefore, the State's argument that an important government interest is at stake is not true.

"Absent medication, Mitchell is likely to remain confined in the Utah State Hospital indefinitely," court documents state. "Regardless of whether Mitchell recovers without medication, he faces secure confinement ... Although Mitchell faces serious charges, the State's interest in prosecution is diminished as his continued confinement significantly reduces any risk to community safety."

Recent comments

Yes, he and his LEGAL wife(Wanda Barzee)were excommunicated in...

Lacee | Nov. 21, 2007 at 10:19 a.m.

Yes, he and his REAL wife Wanda Barzee were both excommunicated in...

Lacee | Nov. 21, 2007 at 10:16 a.m.

Lacee is right. Mitchell has no excuses.

did he get excommunicated?

kait | Nov. 7, 2007 at 9:45 a.m.

Image

Brian David Mitchell

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