ERNST J. v. Stone
The petitioner, a chronic schizophrenic, challenged his recommitment to a psychiatric facility under New York Criminal Procedure Law § 330.20(14) via a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254. He had previously pled not guilty to assault by reason of mental disease or defect and was discharged subject to an order of conditions. Following a deterioration of his mental state and a threat of sexual assault, he was recommitted. The petitioner argued that his recommitment under CPL § 330.20(14) violated equal protection and due process, as he was initially found not to suffer from a "dangerous mental disorder" or to be "mentally ill." This Court, presided over by District Judge Dearie, denied the habeas corpus application, concluding that it was not objectively unreasonable for the state court to reject the petitioner’s constitutional claims, distinguishing his case from Supreme Court precedents like Foucha v. Louisiana.