People v. McDonald CA1/5

BACKGROUND

McDonald’s conviction stems from the aftermath of an altercation he had with a fellow patient at Napa State Hospital. McDonald punched the other patient in the face, knocking him unconscious. McDonald cooperated with hospital police officers who escorted him to the seclusion room, and he sat down on the bed there when told to do so. An officer closed and locked the door to the room, leaving McDonald alone inside. Several police officers subsequently entered the room after McDonald did not comply with an order to lay down on the bed. 1 McDonald backed into a corner on the farthest wall from the door to the room, and put up his fists (or open hands—the point is disputed). He said he had the right to defend himself. The officers grabbed McDonald by his arms, pushed him down onto the bed, applied pain compliance techniques, and handcuffed him. Once the officers had restrained McDonald, the staff tied him to the bed using five-point restraints and administered medication intended to calm him down. At trial, the prosecution argued that the officers reasonably went into the seclusion room and gained control of McDonald to ensure the staff could safely provide medication or…