In Re Commitment of Gollihar - Department Two Supreme Court of Washington

In Re Commitment of Gollihar

By Department Two Supreme Court of Washington

  • Release Date: 2007-05-17
  • Genre: Law

Description

The Civil Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators Act ("Act") provides for the involuntary civil commitment of an offender to outpatient treatment and supervision if the offender is found to be a sexually violent predator. See Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 841.081 (Vernon Supp. 2006). A jury determined that James Gollihar was a sexually violent predator under Texas law by finding that he suffers from a behavioral abnormality that makes him likely to engage in a predatory act of sexual violence. See id. § 841.003 (Vernon 2003). Gollihar challenges the legal and factual sufficiency of the evidence establishing that he is likely to engage in a future predatory act of sexual violence. He also challenges the reliability of the testimony of Dr. Sheri Gaines, the States expert witness. We affirm the trial courts judgment and order of civil commitment.

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