SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A Sacramento County Superior Court hearing highlighted the consequences of unaffordable mental health treatment as Assistant Public Defender Kim Keating sought reconsideration of a previous denial of mental health diversion, while the accused’s wife testified that his inability to afford medication contributed to his return to substance use.
Keating argued that the accused needed access to mental health treatment and substance use services, maintaining that incarceration had not adequately addressed his treatment needs.
The accused’s wife, who was identified as the victim in the domestic violence case, testified in support of diversion for her husband.
She told the court that she did not view herself as a victim and said she had previously made a false statement that escalated the situation because she wanted her husband to receive the help he needed.
The wife argued that the accused needed treatment and medication rather than incarceration, asking, “How is this not a reason for mental health help and substance abuse help?”
She told the court that he needed “help, not prison” and said he had been practically begging for assistance.
The wife further testified that after the accused was previously released, he was unable to obtain his medication because he could not afford it, making access to the medication “impossible.”
She said the interruption in medication contributed to his return to substance use and the escalation of the current case. She described the handling of the previous hearing, stating that the prior judge “didn’t even let her speak” and that she had been shut down when attempting to explain her husband’s circumstances.
She further argued that the court was not taking all relevant factors into consideration and maintained that a diversion program would help him.
Keating also presented information about the accused’s history of alcohol and fentanyl use, bipolar disorder and childhood abuse. His childhood was described as being marked by extreme physical abuse, feelings of familial rejection, constant housing instability and feelings of being unwanted.
His mother also experienced mental health issues of her own.
Keating pointed to evaluations conducted in custody and the accused’s history of medication compliance as support for his need for treatment. The defense argued that medication had helped the accused and that a structured diversion program could provide the consistent treatment needed to address his mental health and substance use issues.
Deputy District Attorney Vanessa Washington opposed the motion, arguing that the accused remained unsuitable for mental health diversion.
Washington cited the accused’s multiple prior convictions and two previous failures to appear in court as reasons to deny the request.
Judge Martin E. Tejada scheduled another hearing for approximately three weeks later, leaving the motion for reconsideration pending and the accused’s eligibility for mental health diversion unresolved.
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