State v. Keys

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
STATE OF DELAWARE, )
)
)
v. ) I.D. No.: 170401361()
)
)
KYAIR KEYS, )
)
Defendant. )
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Subrnitted: December 18, 2017
Decided: March 1, 2018
Upon Consideration of Defendant ’s Motion to Transfer Charges to Faml`ly Court,
GRANTED.
Phillip M. Casale, Esquire, Deputy Attorney General, Departrnent of Justice,
Wilmington, Delaware. Attorneyfor the State.
Monica G. Germono, Esquire, Assistant Public Defender, Offlce of Defense
Services, Wilmington, Delaware. Attorneyfor the Defendant.
MEDINILLA, J.
INTRODUCTION
Kyair Keys (“Defendant”) is not competent to stand trial. He entered the adult
criminal justice system at age thirteen When the State made its charging decision to
bring his charges here.l He is charged in this Court With one count of Assault First
Degree, three counts of Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony,
Possession of a Firearm by Prohibited Juvenile, and two counts of Reckless
Endangering First Degree.2 All charges may be considered for transfer to Family
Court under 10 Del. C. § 1011 and, upon Defendant’s Motion to Transfer, a reverse
amenability hearing Was held on December 18, 2017. The State also argues that the
reverse amenability hearing should not proceed because Defendant’s competency
status prevents him from being able to meaningfully participate in the proceedings.
After consideration of the parties’ submissions, oral arguments, and the record in
this case, Defendant’s Motion to Transfer Charges to Family Court is GRANTED.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
Defendant has been in the juvenile justice system since age eleven and
currently has fifteen other unrelated matters that remain pending in the Family
' Defendant’s date of birth is October 6, 2003. Motion at 11 1.
2 Indictment (dated Aug. 7, 2017).
Court.3 In addition to various misdemeanor offenses, his alleged behavior escalated
to felony offenses including charges of Aggravated Menacing and Possession of a
Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony before he Was arrested for these
shooting offenses.
On these charges, the Court need not make a preliminary determination of
Whether the State has made out a prima facie case against the Defendant because
both sides have stipulated, for purposes of reverse amenability only, that there is a
fair likelihood of Defendant’S conviction if he proceeded to trial. At age thirteen,
Defendant allegedly pulled a pistol from his Waistband and fired approximately five
to seven shots at three individuals following arguments between two groups of
young men. One of the victims Was a fifteen-year-old, Who required surgery to his
shoulder and suffered injuries to his back and chest as a result of the shooting.
Defendant Was originally charged With these offenses in Family Court in April
2017. ln July of 2017, Drs. Robin Belcher-Timme, Psy.D., MACJ, and Amy Diehl
Iannetta, Psy.D., both licensed psychologists, opined respectively on behalf of
Defendant and the State that Defendant Was not competent to stand trial.4 His record
3 The misdemeanor charges in Family Court include but are not limited to Offensive Touching,
Disorderly Conduct, and two Counts of Terroristic Threatening. Defendant Was placed in the
Detention Center on April 1, 2015 for charges of Conspiracy third, two counts of Terroristic
Threatening, three Counts of Harassment, l\/Ienacing and Disorderly Conduct by Fighting.
4 Report of Robin Belcher-Timme, Psy.D. MACJ (dated July 11, 2017); Report of Amy Diehl-
Iannetta, Psy.D. (dated July 28, 2017).
is replete with documentation that reflects an inability to control his frustration and
anger that often results in fights with parents, peers, and others, and has required
commitments to Rockford due to uncontrollable behavior.5 His various diagnoses
include, but are not limited to Mood Disorder, Oppositional Deflant Disorder,
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Cannabis Abuse, and
Opioid Abuse.6 Defendant’s diagnoses have led both sides to agree that, under 10
Del. C. § 1007A, he is not competent to stand trial. As such, none of his charges
have been adjudicated and remain pending on a “Competency Calendar” in Family
Court.
The State argues that the Family Court’s inability to address Defendant’s
competency has effectively paralyzed the adjudication of his pending cases and
hampered all potential treatment efforts to address his various diagnoses. The State
further maintains that at this rate, if Defendant is sent back to Family Court, “he
5 Defendant has been admitted twice to Rockford. He was taken to Terry Children’s Center in
November 2014 and then transferred for admission to Rockford Inpatient Hospital with
Oppositional Deflant Disorder (“ODD”). Defendant was admitted to Rockford from November
12, 2014 through November 18, 2014 and was diagnosed with Mood Disorder (Not Otherwise
Specifled or “NOS”), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (“ADHD”), and ODD. He was
seen for follow-up with Rockford Day Treatment. Defendant was then re-admitted to Rockford
from March 20, 2015 through March 25, 2015. Defendant had the same diagnoses at that time:
Mood Disorder (NOS), ADHD, and ODD. Report of Robin Belcher-Timme, Psy.D. MACJ (dated
July 11, 2017); Report of Amy Diehl-Iannetta, Psy.D. (dated July 28, 2017); Report of Jennifer
Skinner, Master Family Service Specialist, YRS (submitted Dec. 12, 2017).
6 Report of Robin Belcher-Timme, Psy.D. MACJ (dated July 11, 2017) at 5 .
would end up shot or end up shooting someone.”7 Regrettably, this fatalistic
prediction is not off the mark. Delaware has a crime rate higher than the national
average, with Wilmington possessing a higher crime rate than either Los Angeles or
New York City.8 Children in Wilmington are more at risk of being victims of gun
violence than in any other city in the country, a phenomenon labeled by the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention as an epidemic.9 Unfortunately, here, both
defendant and victim(s) are children.
The State also argues that there is no viable prosecution available in Family
Court, and should Defendant remain not competent, the statutory language of the
Family Court’s competency processes under 10 Del. C. § 1007A will lead to a
mandatory dismissal. Therefore, on August 7, 2017, the State concedes that it made
7 Comment of DAG during oral argument on December 18, 2017.
8 TABLE 1:CRIME1N THE UNITED STATES, BY VOLUME AND RATE PER 100,0001NHABITANTS, 1997-
2016, FBI UNlFORM CRIME REPORTING (2016), https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/20 l 6/crime-in-
the-u.s.-2016/topic-pages/offenses-known-browse-by/national-data (the national violent crime
rate, defined as the number of violent crimes per 100,000 people, was 386.3 in 2016); TABLE 3:
CRlME IN THE UNITED STATES BY STATE, FBI UNlFoRM CRlME REPORTING (2016),
https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2016/crime-in-the-u.s.-2016/tables/table-3 (the state violent
crime rate, defines as the number of violent crimes per 100,000 people, was 508.8 in 2016); TABLE
6: OFFENsEs KNOWN To LAw ENFoRCEMENT BY STATE BY CITY, FBI UNIFORM CRll\/IE REPoRTlNG
(2016), https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2016/crime-in-the-u.s.-2016/tables/table-6/table-
6.Xls/view (violent crime rates, defined as the number of violent crimes per 100,000 people, are:
719 for Los Angeles, 573.4 for New York City, and 1,780.2 for Wilmington). See also Bridgeville
Rifle & Pistol Club Lta’., et al. v. Small, et al., 2017 WL 6048843, at *25 (Del. Dec. 7, 2017)
(Strine, C.J., dissenting) (indicating similarly outsized crime rates for crime statistics from 2015).
9 Brittany Horn et al., Wilmington.' Most Dangerous Place in Americafor Youth, News J. (Sept. 8,
2017).
the charging decision to bring the charges to this Court primarily because this Court
has a “Superior Court Competency Restoration Program” (“restoration program”)lo
that could attempt to restore Defendant’s competency, whereas the Family Court
does not have such a program.ll The availability of such a program served as the
impetus to charge this juvenile with adult offenses, and in doing so, the State
bypassed the Family Court processes that are currently available for children with
these types of cognitive and behavioral diagnoses
The State asks that Defendant be ordered to participate in the restoration
program. ln response, Defendant argues first that his competency determination has
already been made and that participation in the restoration program will serve only
to prejudice Defendant’s consideration for transfer. Defendant urges the Court to
proceed with a determination on reverse amenability and argues that Defendant’s
competency status could be considered as one factor under 10 Del. C. § 1011(b), but
should not preclude his right to be heard on the issue of transfer.
10 The “Superior Court Competency Restoration Program” was coined by YRS and is operated
wholly out of the New Castle County Detention Center and through YRS. It only recently began
in 2016 when a trial judge ordered YRS to create what are essentially learning modules about adult
proceedings for juveniles facing adult charges in this Court. Approximately, only three or four
juveniles have either been in enrolled in or successfully completed the program.
ll While this may have been true in December of 201 7 when this hearing took place, DSCYF has
since implemented and/or modified its program to fit a Family Court model.
Alternatively, the State argues that if Defendant is not ordered to participate
in this Court’s restoration program, and remains not competent, he should be
precluded from having a reverse amenability hearing. Before the Court considers
the issue of transfer, both sides request that this Court first address how the
determination of competency affects Defendant’s right to a reverse amenability
hearing.
Re-Determination of Competency is Not Required
A determination under 10 Del. C. § 1007A has already been made by the
Family Court that the Defendant is not competent to stand trial. The State argues
that this Court is mandated to again follow the procedures under 10 Del. C. § 1007A
and re-determine Defendant’s competency. Although this Court does not challenge
the charging decision made in this case, it respectfully disagrees with the State for
several reasons.
The troubling irony in the State’s position is that it wants this Court to
determine competency under 10 Del. C. § 1007A in order for Defendant to obtain
the necessary treatment, yet it changed his trajectory from the Family Court that not
only has already made this determination, but was mandated to order these juvenile-
appropriate services. Given the competency issues in this case, the Court feels
particularly obligated to highlight the precarious situation that has been created as a
result of the decision to charge Defendant as an adult. The charging decision has
7
affected Defendant’s placement and treatment options, and may have thwarted the
Family Court’s efforts and the mandatory provisions under 10 Del. C. § 1007A.
Section 1007A specifically dictates that the Superior Court will determine
competency of juveniles Subject to 10 Del. C. § 1010(a) or § 1010(c)(3) “consistent
with the rules ana1 procedures of that Court and any other applicable law.”'2 Thus,
in this Court, it is 11 Del. C. § 404 that governs the placement of individuals deemed
not competent to stand trial. The statute reads:
Whenever the court is satisfied, after hearing, that an accused person because
of mental illness 0r serious mental disorder, is unable to understand the nature
of the proceedings against the accused, or to give evidence in the accused’s
own defense or to instruct counsel on the accused’s own behalf, the court may
order the accused person to be confined and treated in the Delaware
Psychiatric Center until the accused person is capable of standing trial.13
The provisions in this statute are quite generic and permissive as to how this Court
treats “accused persons” who are not competent to stand trial.
By contrast, the Family Court’s consideration of whether a child is competent
is found under 10 Del. C. § 1007A, and provides a more specific and mandatory
roadmap of considerations and procedures as follows:
[t]he underlying bases for a finding that a child is not competent may include,
but are not limited to, significant mental disorder or incapacity, significant
12 10 Del. C. § 1007A(b)(1) (emphasis added).
‘3 11 Del. C. § 404(a) (emphasis added).
developmental delay, significant cognitive impairment, anal/or chronological
immaturity. A child’s age alone may not serve as the basis for a finding that a
child is not competent. The finding must be based on the individual child’s
capacities for competency.14
Here, the Family Court employed what appears to be a more holistic approach as to
the “child” and his ability to effectively understand and participate in his or her
defense, which is not limited to “a mental illness or serious mental disorder.”15
Additionally, §1007A lays out mandatory procedures based upon whether the child’s
competency can be timely restored or acquired If such restoration or acquisition
can be timely, “the Court shall order appropriate treatment or services based on the
finding and recommendations contained in the competency evaluation.”16 The Court
shall then review the child’s status at least every six months.17 Section 1007A
contemplates ongoing review by the Court, while § 404 does not.
Here, Defendant remains in detention and has been precluded him from
receiving the mandatory attention for treatment and the judicial review intended
under § 1007A. Ms. Skinner, Family Court Master Specialist for YRS, testified that
treatment or services mandated under § 1007A includes juvenile-specific treatment
14 10 Del C, § 1007A(c)(1) (emphasis added).
15 11 Del. C. §404(a).
'6101)¢1€. § 1007A(c)(1).
1710 Del. C. § 1007A(c)(2).
programs through outpatient, day, or residential placements. This is ordinarily
provided by the mental health division of DSCYF, through Prevention and
Behavioral Health (“PBH”). Yet, PBH is currently not offering any services to
Defendant-their division has closed their case with him. Ms. Skinner, testified also
that YRS treatment has also been minimal and explained that juveniles found not
competent are left in a precarious position without access to any services and subject
to what administrators have referred to as “the black hole.”18 Not only is PBH
wholly absent, so too has YRS been precluded from offering services to Defendant
while detained.
The State opposes the proposed placements for treatment ordinarily afforded
to children on the “Competency Calendar” due to the seriousness of Defendant’s
charges, his history of breaches of release, and his mental and behavioral health
issues. But the State also acknowledges that the Delaware Psychiatric Center, the
placement ordinarily ordered for “accused persons” under § 404, does not accept
juveniles. Thus, the State maintains that Defendant should remain at the New Castle
County Detention Center as the most appropriate setting. The Court disagrees
Warehousing Defendant with such deficits in a detention facility presents the worst
18 Jennifer Skinner explained further that once any juvenile is deemed not competent, YRS can
only offer limited resources related to bail conditions, GPS services, and curfew checks, and must
refer the case to PBH.
10
placement option for him, particularly where Ms. Skinner testified that YRS is
providing even less than they would a juvenile without his competency issues
This Court finds that the State’s request that Defendant be ordered to undergo
further competency evaluations or enrollment in the restoration program is counter
to the spirit of 10 Del. C. § 1007A. The Family Court, through both State and
Defense experts, determined that Defendant is not competent to stand trial and relied
on 10 Del. C. § 1007A to provide the statutory mechanism to address children who
fall in this category. This Court is not aware of any provision under either 10 Del.
C. § 1007(A) or 11 Del. C. § 404 that mandates separate or multiple competency
determinations
Even if a determination had to be made by both courts, under either statute,
there is no requirement that Defendant be ordered to participate in the restoration
program. This restoration program focuses on criminal proceedings in this Court.
The State acknowledges that had the Family Court had a similar program, it would
not have filed Defendant’s charges here. Since DSCYF has remedied this issue as
of the date of this writing, ordering Defendant to enroll in a program geared to this
Court would only lead to confuse him and the Court does not see any benefit to order
his participation
11
Therefore, this Court adopts the prior and comprehensive determination from
the Family Court that Defendant remains not competent to stand trial. The Court
now turns to the State’s next argument that Defendant should not be permitted to
have a reverse amenability hearing if deemed not competent.
Competency and the Right to a Reverse Amenability Hearing
The reverse amenability process is meant to identify those juveniles charged
as adults who are amenable to the rehabilitative processes of the Family Court.19 If
the juvenile files a motion to transfer the adult charges, this Court shall hold a reverse
amenability hearing and weigh the four factors set forth in 10 Del. C. § 1011(b).20
However, the State argues the reverse amenability hearing cannot proceed because
Defendant cannot meaningfully participate in this hearing. This Court finds that the
State’s position is contrary to the statutory language of 10 Del. C. § 1011(b).
Often, a reverse amenability hearing may be delayed because the defendant
challenges his competency to stand trial after he has been charged in this Court, In
19 See generally 10 Del. C. §§ 1010-11 (2013 & Supp. 2016). See Hughes v. State, 653 A.2d 241,
249 (Del. 1994) (quoting Marine v. State, 624 A.2d 1181, 1184 (Del. 1993); Marine v. State, 607
A.2d 1185, 1209 (Del. 1992)).
20 10 Del. C. § 1011(b), (c)(2) (stating that “[b]efore ordering any such transfer, the Superior Court
shall hold a hearing at which it may consider evidence as to the following factors . . . .” and that
“[t]he hearing shall be held by the Superior Court as soon after such application is made as is
practicable.” (emphasis added)). See alsoState v. Harper, 2014 WL 1303012, at *5-7 (Del. Super.
Mar. 31, 2014).
12
those cases, the defendant may run the risk that he reduces the likelihood of transfer
to the Family Court when he or his defense counsel decides to challenge
competency. That is not the case here.
The State knew in July of 2017 that Defendant was not competent at age
thirteen when it decided to charge him in this Court. The provisions are clear under
10 Del. C. § 1011(b) that this Court must hold a hearing upon his request. On this
record, the State fails to provide any legal or factual basis to suggest this case should
be considered any differently from juveniles deemed competent to stand trial. To
find that his competency status precludes him from any consideration to transfer to
Family Court creates a dangerous Catch-22 position for juveniles charged with adult
offenses Under the State’s rationale, a juvenile charged in Superior Court would
refrain from challenging competency because to do so would force them to forego
the ability to be heard on their transfer back to Family Court. The result would not
only run against the provisions of 10 Del. C. § 101 1(b), it would be akin to a a’e facto
waiver of all competency challenges
This Court finds that where the State sought to bring charges against a “child”
deemed not competent under 10 Del. C. § 1007, it fails to establish why this
competency status precludes his right to an amenability hearing. Defendant is
entitled to the same judicial review afforded to competent juveniles charged with
adult offenses who seek consideration for transfer under 10 Del. C. § 1011(b).
13
STANDARD OF REVIEW
On Defendant’s Motion to Transfer, the Court must weigh the factors set forth
in 10 Del. C. § 1011(b).21 Under § 101 1(b), the Court may consider evidence of: (l)
“[t]he nature of the present offense and the extent and nature of the defendant’s prior
record, if any;” (2) “[t]he nature of past treatment and rehabilitative efforts and the
nature of the defendant’s response thereto, if any;” (3) “[w]hether the interests of
society and the defendant would be best served by trial in the Family Court or in the
Superior Court;” and, the catch-all provision to include any “other factors which, in
the judgment of the Court are deemed relevant.”22
DISCUSSION
F air Likelihood of Conviction
This Court considers the following evidence: a stipulation of Defendant’s
alleged conduct that gave rise to the charges, an Updated Evaluation of Competence
to Proceed in Family Court dated July 11, 2017, a Psychological Evaluation dated
December 12, 2017 from Dr. Belcher-Timme, and the report and testimony of
Jennifer Skinner, Master Family Service Specialist on behalf of YRS, who was the
only witness presented at the hearing. Both sides stipulate, for purposes or reverse
amenability only, that there is a fair likelihood of Defendant’s conviction if he
21 See, e.g., id.
22101)€1€.§1011(1»).
14
proceeded to trial. The Court now turns to an analysis of the statutory factors
outlined in § 1011(b).
Weighing § 1011 (b) ’s F our Factors
I. Section 1011(b) Factor One: Nature of Present Offense and the Extent
and Nature of Defendant’s Prior Record
The first § 1011(b) factor is two-pronged. Defendant faces one count of
Assault First Degree, two counts of Reckless Endangering and three counts of
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (“PFDCF”), as well as
a Possession of a Handgun by a Prohibited Juvenile. The State argues that not only
are the charges serious, this factor weighs against a transfer because the charges
cannot be adjudicated if his competency is not restored.
lt is true that under § 1007A, “the Court, after a hearing to consider the best
interests of the child and safety of the community, shall”23 order dismissal after the
specified statutory period of time lapses. The Court understands the potential
implications under § 1007A if Defendant remains not competent_the Family Court
must order dismissal when the statutory period runs.24 The Superior Court
23 10 Del. C. § 1007A(c)(3) (emphasis added).
24 Under 10 Del. C. § 1007A(c)(3), if there is not a reasonable expectation that the child can restore
or acquire competency, “the Court, after a hearing to consider the best interests of the child and
the safety of the community, shall : . . . [d]ismiss violent felony charges at age 18, unless the child
was under age 14 at the time of arrest for violent felonies in which case the Court shall consider
dismissal of violent felonies Within 18 to 36 months.” (emphasis added).
15
competency statute has no such mandatory provisions The Court does not consider
the policy implications raised by the obvious disparities of the two statutes that
address the disposition of cases for individuals that are not competent to stand trial.
There are various procedural and substantive differences between 10 Del. C. §
1007(A) and 11 Del. C. § 404, but it is for the General Assembly to determine to
what extent they wish to reconcile these statutes related to future young offenders
As to this prong, this Court finds that regardless of his competency issues, the
charges are both serious and violent and weigh against a transfer.
The second prong of this first factor looks to Defendant’s prior record,
Defendant’s criminal “history” is short with a span of two years that began at age
eleven. Ms. Skinner testified that Defendant demonstrated signs of maturity since
his last placement and recommended that Defendant is amenable to the rehabilitative
processes of the Family Court.25 The State argues that Defendant’s prior record
reflects escalating impulsive and violent behavior. Before detained at age thirteen,
Defendant demonstrated signs of recklessness and extremely dangerous risk-taking.
His alleged gang involvement and drug use/sales confirm his susceptibility to
negative influences and outside pressures
25 Report of Jennifer Skinner, Master Family Service Specialist, YRS at 15 (submitted Dec. 12,
2017).
16
Defense counsel countered that Defendant’s behavior aligns with what the
Supreme Court of the United States has identified, in other contexts, as the
“mitigating qualities of youth.”26 This Court has previously referenced the Roper,
Graham and Miller decisions to highlight conceptually that the Supreme Court of
the United States has considered issues related to the brain development of
446
adolescents. Even our own Supreme Court has considered the major advances’ in
neuroscience,” discussing how the Supreme Court of the United States was aware
“when it decided Roper that children do not transform into psychologically- and
neurologically-mature adults on their eighteenth birthdays.”27 While there is much
written about a juvenile’s proclivity to act impulsively and irresponsiny due to
innumerable intrinsic and extrinsic factors,28 the Supreme Court of the United States
26 Miller v. Alabama, 567 U.S. 460, 476 (2012) (quoting Johnson v. Texas, 509 U.S. 350, 367
(1993)).
27 Zebroski v. State, 2018 WL 559678, at *4 (Del. Jan. 25, 2018).
28 Roper v. Simmons and its progeny reflect the greater attention that has been placed on the
peculiarities inherent in juvenile conduct. See Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551 (2005). See also
Montgomery v. Louisiana, 136 S. Ct. 718 (2016); Miller, 567 U.S. 460; Graham v. Floria'a, 560
U,S. 48 (2010). This Eighth Amendment jurisprudence recognizes that juveniles possess a “lack
of maturity and . . . underdeveloped sense of responsibility” that leads to reckless, impulsive, and
needless risk-taking. Roper, 543 U.S. at 569 (quoting Johnson, 509 U.S. at 367). They “are more
vulnerable . . . to negative influences and outside pressures,” including from their family and peers
Ia’. (citing Ea'a'ings v. Oklahoma, 455 U.S. 104, 115 (1982)). Juveniles have limited “control . . .
over their own environment” and lack the ability to extricate themselves from horrific, crime-
producing settings Ia'. (citing Laurence Steinberg & Elizabeth S. Scott, Less Guilty by Reason of
Aa'olescence.' Developmental Immaturity, Diminishea1 Responsibility, ana' the Juvenile Death
Penalty, 58 AM. PSYCHOLOGIST 1009, 1014 (2003)). And because a child’s character is not as
“well formed” as an adult’s, his traits are “less fixed” and his actions are less likely to be “evidence
17
addressed these factors in the context of an 8th Amendment framework. These
constitutional considerations were argued by defense counsel in this case but no
evidence was submitted regarding these weightier considerations Therefore, this
Court does not need to consider how his competency status might affect
considerations regarding maturity, impulsivity, etc., except to state that the evidence
was undisputed that Defendant will not easily or maturer transform into adulthood
if left to his own volition without services
This Court finds that as to the first factor, it splits in favor of both sides in that
the first prong weighs in favor of keeping the charges in this Court and the second
weighs in favor of transfer.
II. Section 1011(b) F actor TWo: Nature of Past Treatment and Defendant’s
Response
As to the second factor, however, there is little evidence of past treatment
except for scattered attempts to address his mental and behavioral health needs lt
was not until July of 2017 that the psychologists in this case opined that Defendant
is not competent. Had he remained in the Family Court under 10 Del. C. § 1007, we
may have more information about the success or failure of treatment efforts Yet,
despite the minimal YRS treatment and lack of PBH involvement, Ms. Skinner
testified that Defendant has done well while detained and recommends that this
of irretrievabl[e] deprav[ity].” Id. at 570 (citing Ele H. ERIKsoN, IDENT|TY: YouTH AND CRlsls
(1968)).
18
factor weighs in favor of a transfer. No evidence was presented to suggest otherwise,
such that this factor weighs in favor of a transfer.
III. Section 1011(b) Factor Three: Interests of Society and Defendant
ln determining whether the interests of society and of the defendant are best
served by the transfer, this Court is guided by State v. Johnson where the Superior
Court had determined that it was not in the interest of society “to place the remaining
charges in Family Court for treatment Defendant does not need and that [DYRS]
cannot provide . . . .”29 Here, Ms. Skinner testified that access to services are
available to him through PBH or YRS, regardless of whether competency is restored
or acquired.
If competency is restored, there are several targeted rehabilitative programs
available to Defendant through the Ferris School as well as a list of community-
based services for Defendants adjudicated delinquent of firearm offenses Ms.
Skinner also detailed the services available to Defendant through the Family Court
and that he would have the benefit of such services through YRS, if found
competent, through age nineteen. If Defendant remains not competent, the mental
health sister division of PBH can provide resources through age eighteen.30 With
29 State v. Johnson, 2012 WL 2835024, at *4 (Del. Super. Ct. 2012).
30 ]d
19
another four or five years of potential services, the Family Court is in the best
position to order PBH’s involvement, regardless of Defendant’s competency issues
associated with this case.31
By contrast, in this Court, at age fourteen, even if he acquires competency,
DOC cannot offer the same opportunities for treatment and rehabilitation The
record established that providers contracted by YRS can only serve youth assigned
to their supervision through Family Court. Were Defendant to remain not
competent, the adult mental health system is not equipped to manage his adolescent
mental health issues Where violent behavior is a common denominator throughout
Defendant’s criminal history, society has an interest in ensuring that the agency
equipped to handle these types of cases are able to do so. Thus, this Court finds that
both the interests of society and Defendant weigh in favor of a transfer, where the
reliance is on DSCYF to service Defendant and for the Family Court to order it
accordingly.
31 Ms. Skinner’s recommendation is based in part on Defendant’s “continued stipulation of not
competent.” She identifies that Defendant “has stipulated to not competent in Family Court since
2015, and most recently on 1/4/17.” Report of Jennifer Skinner, Master Family Service Specialist,
YRS at 14-15 (submitted Dec. 12, 2017).
20
IV. Section l011(b)’s Catchall Provision: Other Factors Which, in the
Judgment of the Court Are Deemed Relevant
The final, miscellaneous consideration is “other factors which, in the
judgment of the Court are deemed relevant” under § 1011(b) focuses on how
Defendant entered the adult system, and this Court’s inability to address his
competency deficits The Court considers the lesser of two evils_to send the case
back may be a legal exercise in futility, but to keep it here is worse.32
The first evil is if Defendant returns to the Family Court. If he remains not
competent, his cases remain pending on a Competency Calendar without
adjudication Presumably, he will now enter into a restoration program, and
regardless of the outcome, he will receive treatment under § 1007(A). PBH can be
ordered to remain open with him until he ages out or, if his competency is restored,
his cases will be adjudicated and he will be eligible to receive five years of
rehabilitation from YRS to age nineteen Either way, DSCYF is involved and, at
age fourteen, it makes sense for these critical services to be provided by the agency
best equipped to deliver them.
32 The Court considered severing his offenses to allow both courts to retain jurisdiction However,
because Defendant’s charges are “inextricably intertwined” to the underlying felonies, basic
principles of joinder and severance under Superior Court Criminal Rules 8 and 14 lead this Court
to consider judicial economy considerations to maintain all charges in one court.
21
The second evil is Defendant stays here. As much as the Court understands
the decision to charge Defendant as an adult, this system is not equipped to service
a child with his mental and behavioral deficits While it may be that the State
envisioned that this Court would retain some level of supervision over Defendant,
part of this factor that weighed into this Court’s decision is that the State was more
focused on jumpstarting the competency restoration process than it was focused on
seeing that Defendant face the minimum mandatory consequences of these charges
As such, it is likely that the State contemplated a resolution whereby both courts
remained involved.
Competent juveniles who exhibit violent behavior have benefited from a
blended resolution that allows both the Family Court to provide services followed
by continued supervision through this Court. Although these resolutions are often
created through “split” or “blended” pleas, they come about through plea
negotiations if the State wishes to extend such offers Here, the benefits of a split
or blended plea are offered to a juvenile who is able to knowingly, intelligently and
voluntarily enter into a plea agreement Unfortunately, this option is not available
to Defendant because he is not competent to enter into any agreement with the State,
even if such an offer was extended.
Competency, if ever, may take years to restore or acquire. While the State may
think it best to keep him at the New Castle County Detention Center awaiting this
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result, leaving him there without treatment is the greater evil. Age appropriate
treatment should be afforded to anyone accused of an offense deemed not competent
to stand trial, regardless of their age. Because Defendant cannot receive the requisite
treatment in this Court that would ordinarily be afforded to similarly situated not
competent juveniles who remain in Family Court under 1007(A) or not competent
adults under § 404 who would go to DPC, this factor weighs in favor of transfer.
Therefore, considering all factors under 10 Del C. § 1011(b), as to the nature
of the present offense and the extent and nature of the defendant’s prior record, factor
one splits both ways The nature of past treatment and rehabilitative efforts and the
nature of the defendant’s response thereto weighs in favor of a transfer. The interests
of society and Defendant are best served by a transfer to the Family Court where the
DSCYF can take a more holistic approach to address Defendant’s cases and needs
Finally, relevant to this analysis is that the adult system is not equipped to address
the needs of a fourteen-year-old deemed not competent to stand trial. All evidence
presented by the witnesses who testified in this matter concurred that Defendant is
amenable to the Family Court. Thus, Defendant’s charges should be sent back to
the Family Court for disposition
CONCLUSION
The provisions of 10 Del. C. §1007(A) are best suited to address Defendant’s
competency issues in the Family Court and this Court need not re-determine
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Defendant’s competency to stand trial. Defendant’s competency does not preclude
his right to a reverse amenability determination as mandated under 10 Del C. §
1011(b). Under 10 Del C. § 1011(b), the factors weigh in favor or a transfer. For
the reasons stated above, Defendant’s Motion is GRANTED.
IT.IS SO ORDERED.
/ludge Vivian L. Med` 1 `
oc: Prothonotary
cc: Defendant
Jennifer Skinner, Master Family Service Specialist
Philip M. Casale, Esquire
Monica G. Germono, Esquire
Office of Investigative Services
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