Mackie, Matter of
| Decision Date | 06 June 1978 |
| Docket Number | No. 7827DC102,7827DC102 |
| Citation | 36 N.C.App. 638,244 S.E.2d 450 |
| Court | North Carolina Court of Appeals |
| Parties | In the Matter of Marvin A. MACKIE. |
Gaither & Wood by J. Michael Gaither, Newton, and Rebecca L. Feemster, Morganton, for respondent.
The respondent's brief reveals that the respondent was discharged from the mental health facility on 9 March 1978. Nevertheless, our courts have made it clear that a prior discharge will not render questions challenging the involuntary commitment proceeding moot. In re Hatley, 291 N.C. 693, 231 S.E.2d 633 (1977).
In order to support the recommitment of a respondent in an involuntary commitment proceeding, the trial court must find, "by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence that the respondent is mentally ill or inebriate, and imminently dangerous to himself or others, . . . and in need of continued hospitalization." G.S. 122-58.11. The two ultimate facts of (1) mental illness or inebriacy, and (2) imminent danger, must be supported by facts which are found from the evidence and recorded by the District Court. In re Hogan, 32 N.C.App. 429, 232 S.E.2d 492 (1977).
In his two assignments of error the respondent contends that the trial court erred in admitting the medical report of Dr. Moody without his accompanying testimony and that, therefore, there was no competent evidence to support the trial judge's finding of imminent danger. We agree.
The medical report which was prepared by Dr. Moody and admitted by the trial court contains the findings that the respondent "IS Mentally Ill or Inebriate" and "IS Imminently Dangerous to Himself or Others." General Statute 122-58.7(e), which is made applicable to rehearings by G.S. 122-58.11(c), provides that while medical reports are admissible in evidence in an involuntary commitment proceeding "the respondent's right to confront and cross-examine witnesses shall not be denied." Assuming without conceding that Dr. Moody's brief statement and conclusion as to the imminent danger of the respondent would support a recommitment order, his failure to appear at the hearing deprived the respondent of his right of confrontation and cross-examination. In re Hogan, 32 N.C.App. 429, 232 S.E.2d 492 (1977); In re Benton, 26 N.C.App. 294, 215 S.E.2d 792 (1975). Thus, the admission of the report into evidence was error.
The only other evidence presented at the hearing was the testimony of the petitioner, the respondent's mother, that she had not seen the respondent in...
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In re Webber
...commitment proceeding moot.'" In re Booker, 193 N.C.App. 433, 436, 667 S.E.2d 302, 304 (2008) (quoting In re Mackie, 36 N.C.App. 638, 639, 244 S.E.2d 450, 451 (1978)). When the challenged order may form the basis for future commitment or cause other collateral legal consequences for the res......
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Collins, Matter of, 8021DC355
...on 8 January 1980 does not moot this appeal. In re Hatley, 291 N.C. 693, 694-95, 231 S.E.2d 633, 634-35 (1977); In re Mackie, 36 N.C.App. 638, 244 S.E.2d 450 (1978). To enter the commitment order the trial court was required to ultimately find two distinct facts, i. e., that the respondent ......
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In re Booker
...expired, "a prior discharge will not render questions challenging the involuntary commitment proceeding moot." In re Mackie, 36 N.C.App. 638, 639, 244 S.E.2d 450, 451 (1978) (citation omitted). Furthermore, an appeal of an involuntary commitment order is not moot when the challenged judgmen......
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In re Alvious Fred Church
...expired, "a prior discharge will not render questions challenging the involuntary commitment proceeding moot." In re Mackie, 3 6 N.C. App. 638, 639, 244 S.E.2d 450, 451 (1978) (citation omitted); see also In re Booker, 193 N.C. App. 433, 436, 667 S.E.2d 302, 304 ...