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Judge orders Alan Wayne Bell to remain at Rusk State Hospital for one year
Summary
After reviewing recent forensic reports, the presiding judge found Alan Wayne Bell remains not competent to stand trial and ordered him to stay at Rusk State Hospital for continued inpatient treatment for one year.
A presiding judge in the 252nd District Court on Feb. 12, 2025 found that Alan Wayne Bell remains not competent to stand trial and ordered that he remain at Rusk State Hospital for another year.
The judge opened the review by noting the court received a packet from Rusk State Hospital that included a forensic psychiatry report dated Dec. 30, 2024, and a physician certificate dated Dec. 27, 2024. The judge summarized the medical opinions in the materials, including a psychiatric opinion by Dr. George Howland and a violence-risk assessment by Dr. Mary Robinson dated Dec. 16, 2024.
The court described the clinical findings in the reports: Bell was diagnosed as mentally ill, continues to exhibit disorganized thought and irritability, does not always follow unit rules, and was assessed as needing continued inpatient treatment. The Dec. 16 assessment and a March 2024 evaluation both flagged a moderate-to-high predicted risk of future violence if Bell were placed into a less-secure setting; one report concluded that in a structured, locked facility his immediate risk was low.
The judge noted Bell had previously been found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to state hospital care. The judge also took judicial notice of a jury-trial waiver Bell signed on Jan. 9, 2025. After hearing from defense counsel (Mister Parker) and reviewing the hospital reports, the court found Bell “still not competent” and that “he requires inpatient treatment,” and ordered he remain at Rusk State Hospital for the coming year while the court awaits further information from the hospital.
No alternative placements were offered in the materials reviewed by the court, and the judge said the record contains no evidence recommending a less-restrictive setting. The court specified it would await any additional information submitted by Rusk State Hospital before reconsidering the disposition.
The case remains under the court’s review pending further reports from the hospital.
