State Dept. of State Hospitals v. Devoe CA2/6

FACTS

On June 12, 2012, the Department filed a "petition for an order to compel involuntary treatment with psychotropic medication for [Devoe,] a mentally disordered offender patient pursuant to In re Qawi . . . ." It alleged Devoe has a history of mental

1 All statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code. illness, he refuses to take medication, and he "presents a danger to others without psychotropic medication." At trial, Dr. Joshua Deane, a staff psychiatrist at Atascadero state hospital, testified that Devoe is a mentally disordered offender who is bipolar, has poor impulse control, a "thought disorder," and a "mood disturbance" disorder. He is delusional with "extremely poor" insight. Devoe is unable to provide details about his mental illness. Two recent events showed Devoe's potential "danger to others." In February 2012, after an altercation with another patient, the medical staff tried to intervene. Devoe was uncooperative and he became "belligerent." He took "a fighting stance" and had to be placed in "full bed restraints." In May 2012, Devoe became "agitated for several hours." He called the unit supervisor a "bitch" and he "doused" a cup of…