OP 21-0450 Writ - Mandamus - Petition
OP 21-0450 Writ - Mandamus - Petition
ILYA ICHMEELEV,
Petitioner, Cause No, OP -
v.
And
This case reflects the heart-wrenching realities of the mentally ill who are
warehoused in our criminal justice systern. Petitioner has been in the custody of the
Flathead County Detention Center (FCDC) for the majority of calendar year 2021.
Durhig that time, petitioner has not had, adequate mental health or medical treatment
despite two court orders committing petitioner to the Montana State Hospital (MSH)
for the purposes of evaluating and restoring bis fitness to proceed. The Department
of Health and Human Services (DPHHS) has simply refused to honor those orders
posting bail or reducing bail because petitioner suffers from acute schizophrenia.
urinates in his cell, often eating or drinking this excrement. Petitioner resides for
long stretches in solitary confinement. Jail staff cannot care for him.
found petitioner unfit to proceed and ordered the Montana State Hospital to admit
him within 48 hours or to show cause why it had not done so. The reason for this
order was petitioner's extreme mental illness, his rapidly deteriorating physicai
needs.
To the present date, DPHES has neither admitted petitioner to MSH (or any
other facility) n.or appeared to show cause wby it has not done so. In the meantime,
IL FACTUAL BACKGROUND.
this calendar year. Part I1(A) details the dismissal entered for delay by DPHHS in
Justice Court proceeding. Part 11((B) details the current detention and delay by
Court proceeding.
Violation of a Protective Order. Petitioner was brought before the Flathead County
Justice Court for an initial appearance on February 9, and bail was set at $500. Appx.
3 PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS.
1. Petitioner remained in the custody of FCDC because petitioner could not afford
bail.
MSH in two matters pending before the Justice Court for the purposes of evaluating
the petitioner's fitness to proceed. Appx. 2. The basis for this motion was that the
petitioner had been recently released from a psychiatric commitm.ent to MSH and
that the petitioner had been off of an extensive regimen of medications which were
meant to treat severe schizophrenia. Appx. 2. The motion also noted the severe
decompensation that petitioner had been experiencing at FCDC, and the admitted
inability of FCDC to care for petitioner's medical needs. Appx. 2. The motion was
unopposed.
motion for commitment to MSH. Appx. 3. At that hearing, the Justice Court h.eard
3, at 10.
• That "in the last month, he hasn't changed his clothes. He s urinating
in his bed. He's defecating on the floor. He will not take food from us.
We, have to leave the food at his pass-through and walk away before
hell eat. This Morning he would not eat. He was more, the nurse said,
in like a catatonic state— like he s just stares off into nowhere." Appx.
2, at 10.
10.
Next, defense counsel called the nurse who was treating petitioner at the jail. She
testified as follows:
• Petitioner was not taldng his medications at the jail and she could not
Appx. 3, at 13.
• That other pretrial detainees she has seen in this situation have been
• That petitioner has been committed to Warm Springs five times before.
Appx. 3, at 13.
in let alone solid fluids. In 2020, or maybe it was 2019,1 had Ilya taken
to the eznergency room three different times for nothing more than we
The State again aslced no questions of this witness. The Justice Court imrnediately
granted the motion made by, defense counsel. Appx. 3, at 15. The Justice Court
MSH was necessary due to his extreme medical and psychological needs. Appx. 4.
In that order, the Justice Court specifically found that an emergency cornmitment
or that DPHFIS show cause to explain why it could not be done. Appx. 4.
out to FCDC with the opinion that a Justice Court cannot order a fitness evaluation.
Appx. 5. MSH also explained that it would be "months before a bed is available."
why the Court's order was being not met, the following directi.on was sent from the
Travis,
Based on the waiting list and the fact that this case is charged as a
misdemeanor, I can't even begin to venture a guess as to when there will be a
bed. available. Chances are, that it would take longer than six months.
Let me know,
petitioner's condition, specifically that there was again feces and urine irt his cell.
Appx. 5. On May 10, the jail commander advised that staff is now having to go
"hands on" with petitioner to. control him at the jaiL Appx. 6.
On May 12, counsel filed a motion to dismiss the Justice Court cases because
evaluation. Appx. 7. The State responded on May 25, Appx. 8. And a reply brief was
filed OD behalf of petitioner on May 25. Appx. 9. When no ruling had issued as of
June 24, counsel filed a request for an immediate ruling on the motion to dismiss.
Appx. 10. The State responded to that request the same day. Appx. 11.
On June 25, the Justice Court issued an order dismissing the cases pending
before it due to the unreasonable delay in admitting petiaoner to MSI-1 for a fitness
Petitioner's release front custody was short lived, On June 28, 2021, petitioner
was arrested and issu.ed a citation for Criminal Trespass to Property. Appx. 13.
Petitioner made an initial appearance before the Kalispell Municipal Court (KMC)
on june 29, and bail was set at $500. Appx. 13, The order for conditions of release
includes a note indicating that the "Court entered not guilty plea on behalf of'
rernained in custody.
On August 17, counsel filed a motion to find petitioner unfit to proceed and
to immediately commit hirn to MSH for the purposes of restoring fitness. Appx. 14.'
To avoid the evaluation delays which plagued the previous Justice Court cases,
counsel had already obtained a rnental health examination from a community doctor
and attached it to the motion. Appx. 14; Appx. 20. The City did not oppose this
KMC held an evidentiary hearing on August 31, Appx. 15.2 At that hearing,
KMC heard testimony from Commander Grande, considered exhibits from the
Justice Court proceedings, and considered argument from counsel. Appx. 15. The
testimony received from Corrunander Grande reiterated that the same problems from
the Justice Court proceedingS persisted. Appx. 15. In his written report, Dr. Scolatti
specifically opined that placement at MSH was appropriate given these difficulties.
Appx. 20, at 7. KMC issued a written order on August 31 finding petitioner unfit to
To avoid unnecessarily duplicating appendices, counsel informs this Court that the exhibits
attached to this motion were Dr. Scolatti's report and the pleadings from the Justice Court case
that have already been appended to this petition.
2 This appendix is a physical .copy of the audio recordings of this hearing; the copies of this
recording have been mailed to the Montana Supreme Court Clerk of Court. Counsel was unable to
obtain transcripts from the transcription company that the Office of the Public Defender has an
exclusive contract with sufficient expediency to have this petition filed before this Court's
September 14, 2021, conference. If transcripts would be helpful, counsel can supplement the
record with those transcripts once obtained.
9 PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS.
proceed and commanding MSH to admit petitioner within 48 hours or show cause
as to why it would not do so. Appx. 16. KMC made numerous findings, Mcluding
that "Mmmediate admission on a fitness to proceed hold is the only remedy available
to this Court which will address the gravity of the circumstances." Appx. 16.
Additionally, KMC sent letters to MSH and the Flathead County Attorney's office
expressing concern about petitioner's well-being if immediate action was not taken.
Appx. 17; Appx. 18. KMC asked MSH to honor its order. Appx, 17. The KMC asked
"Mt is anticipated that the State Hospital will not lionor this Order[1" Appx, 18.
Since KMC issued its order committing petitioner to MSH for restoration of
fitness to proceed, no action' has been taken by DPIIHS. Petitioner remains in the
custody of FCDC. The Flathead County Attorney has similarly declined. M file a
housed at the jail are such that the County Attorney's office opts not to pursue such
cases. Appx. 19. The County Attorney also expressed budgetary concerns regarding
health services, and without the present ability to assist counsel in his defense.
A writ of mandamus may issue "to compel the performance of an act that
the law specially enjoins as a duty resulting from an office, trust, or stationH"
Section 27-26-102. 'The clear legal duty must involve a ministerial act, not a
discretionary act.'" Smith v. Mont. Det. Of Corn, 2020 Mont LEXIS 51, 3 OP 19-
0735 (quoting Srnith v. Missoula Cty, 1999 MT 330, ¶ 28). At the same time, the
person, and speedy rernedY aftbrded for every injury of person, property, or
ignore such court orders. In fact, DPFIHS has a statutory obligation to treat an
individual who is committed pursuant to a court order finding the person unfit to
DPI-IHS is that the Director of DPHES possibly has some discretion in choosing
which "appropriate mental health facility" or "residential facility" is utilized for this
MSH, which creates backlogs. However, the Director does not have the discretion
some other suitable facility - and instead warehouse the mentally ill in county jails.
Id. This may be expedient and cost-efficient, but it is also inhumane and without
statutory authority.
Moreover, the duty of the Director to immediately admit a person found unfit
to proceed is amplified when the person is suffering from such severe illness that
mental and physical well-being deteriorates at jail. Unless DPREIS comes forward
with some other suitable facility, courts are well within their powers to command
mentally i11 who are not fit to proceed. U.S. Const., Amends, V & XJV; Mont,
Const., Art. II, §§ 4 & 17. Those authorities are fleshed out in more detail in the
following sections,
A. Due Process.
"It has long been accepted that a person whose mental condition is such that
he lacks the capacity to understand the nature and object of the proceedings against
him, to consult with counsel, and to assist in preparing his defense may not be subject
to trial." Drope v, Missouri, 420 U.S. 162, 171 (1975); § 46-14403, MCA.
proceed violates due process. That is especially so for pretrial detainees. See, e.g.,
State v. Mon, 2003 MT 342, II 11 (citing Jackson, 406 U.S. a 738) ("it is
following the civil or criminal commitment procedures provided by state law; due
process requires, at a minimum, some rational relation between the nature and
Several courts have found that it violates due process to warehouse the mentally ill
in county jails under such circumstances. See, e.g., ildvoc. Ctr. fir Elderly and
Disabled v, La. Dept, of Health and Hospital, 731 F.Supp.2d 603 (E.D. La, 2010);
Or. Advoc. Ctr, v, Mink, 322 F.3d 1101, 1119-20 (9th Cir. 2003); Terry v. Hill, 232
F.Supp.2d 934 (E.D. Ark. 2002). The general reasoning for this conclusion is that
[the State inpatient treatment facility] bears no rational relationship to the restoration
of their competency or a determination that they will never becorne competent. Put
differently, the Detainees are in jail not because their imprisonment is related to the
restoration of their competeney; they are incarcerated because there is no roorn for
them elsewhere." ildvoc. or for Elderly and Disabled, 731 F.Supp.2d at 610.
harms at play. Mink, 322 F.3d at 1121; See also Advocacy Ctr. fir Elderly and
right to restorative treatment. Mink, 322 F.3d at 1121. These interests are implicated
undisputed harms that incapacitated defendants suffer when they spend weeks or
months in jail waiting for transfer" to a facility designed to help them regain
Id. Just as Oregon's statutory procedures recognized the validity of these interests
and the harms associated with ignoring them, Id. at 1121, Montana's statutory
scheme is meant to avoid the same type of harms, Tison, 2003 MT 342 at 1111.
increasingly pressing matter given the high volume of mentally ill our society
estimates that at least half of incarcerated persons have a mental health diagnosis."
troubling, "Wncarcerated individuals are three to five times more likely to meet
criteria for serious psychological distress than adults in the general population." Id.
at 21. Compared to the general population, they are also "twice as likely to have an
intellectual disability, four to six times rnore likely to have a cognitive disability,
twice as likely to have a mobility disorder, three to four times more likely to be blind
or have vision impairment, and two to three tirnes more likely to have a hearing
impairment than the general population." Id. In sum, the majority of people Montana
chooses to incarcerate will suffer elevated distress during the period of incarceration,
Courts have had an extremely difficult time finding "a legitimate state interest
treatment. See, e.g., Advoc. Crr. for Elderly and Disabled, 731 F.Supp.2d at 623 ("In
sum, the evidence presented indicates that the decision to keep the Detainees in
parish jail is an economic one and not one made out of concenl for their mental-
health treatment.").
incompetent defendants based merely on their desire to save money. .Td.; Terty, 232
F.Supp.2d at 944; Mink, 322 F.3d at 1121. On the other hand, a defendant's liberty
treatment are substantial. The balance leans heavily in the defendant's favor. See,
e.g., Ten"), 232 F. Supp. 24 at 943-44. Nevertheless, such pretial detainees are at
the mercy of a political landscape that has little regard for their needs. Id. at 944-45
(noting testimony of director of Arkansas State Hospital that "the lack of treatment
for the mentally ill is due more to a general societal attitude toward the mentally ill
Just as in Mink, Montana's DPIMS "is solely responsible for the timely
to stand trial." 322 F.3d at 1119-20. Yet none of this can talce place unless and until
fiscal constraints the DPHES faces, lack, of funding does not permit delays such as
B. Right to Dignity
Constitution mandates that the government meet the basic needs of those entrusted
In the case of the mentally ill, basic human needs must be ntet, along
with adequate opportunity to develop capacities, and adequate medical
health care must also be provided to treat the illness. Jt is natural to
speak of the inherent dignity of such developmentally disabled or
mentally ill persons, and to speak of the requirement that such
vulnerable persons be treated with dignity.
Meaning and Scope of the Montana Constitution's "Dignity" Clause with Possible
results in the systeraatic deprivation of medical and psychological care, the right to
county jail that carmot adequately feed, medicate, bathe, or care for the needs of the
V. CONCLUSION.
(I) That the Court accept original jurisdiction over this matter;
(2) That the Court order DPHHS to comply with the mandates of the
(3) That the Court specifically order DPILLIS to admit the petitioner to
hours, or to show cause to this Court why DPHHS has not done so.
State of Montana
:ss
County of Flathead )
The undersigned, being first duly sworn, declare that all the facts and matters
set out herein are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Greg Raplco h
Attorney for etitioner
ASHLEY TORREY
MOUSY PIJKPC for the
State ot Montana
aiding at Kalispell, Montana
My Commission 'spires
January 31, 2024
certify that this Petition is printed with a Times New Roman, proportionately spaced
typeface of 14 points, is double spaced except for footnotes and quoted and indented
material, is has less than 4,000 words (appx. 3,998) as counted by the attorney's
if any,
\
Greg R4koch `‘,
Attorney for Petitioner
I, Gregory John Rapkoch, hereby certify that I have served true and accurate copies of the
foregoing Petition - Writ to the following on 09-10-2021:
Kyle Fouts
P.O. Box 300
Warm Springs MT 59756
Service Method: E-mail Delivery
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Adam Meier
111 North Sanders
Helena MT 59620
Service Method: E-mail Delivery
E-mail Address: [email protected]