People v. Lawrence

The circuit court of Kane County, in a bench trial, ordered the involuntary commitment of Kenneth Lawrence to the Department of Mental Health pursuant to the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1991, ch. 91½, par. 1—100 et seq.) Lawrence appeals from that order on the ground that the commitment hearing was invalid for several reasons. We reverse.

On April 23, 1990, while experiencing a fit of paranoia, Lawrence attempted to end his life by repeatedly slashing his chest with a pocket knife causing approximately 30 stab wounds. Lawrence was hospitalized for these…