In re Involuntary Commitment of Joyce Marsh

RICHARD L. HOLMES, Retired Appellate Judge.

In December 1994 Billy Marsh filed a petition in the probate court, requesting that the court find his wife, Joyce Marsh, to be mentally ill and commit her to the custody of the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (Mental Health).

A probable cause hearing was held on January 4, 1995. Marsh and her guardian ad litem were present at this hearing. Marsh, her husband, and her treating psychiatrist testified at this hearing. The probate court treated the January 4, 1995, hearing as a final hearing and issued an order committing Marsh to the…