Hippensteel
Determining the mental status for a criminal defendant can become costly for taxpayers.
The case of Corbin W. Hippensteel, charged with murder in the Nov. 27, 2023 shooting death of Alejandro Flores, illustrates how expenses can go up in cases involving mental illness.
After Hippensteel, 31, appeared largely unresponsive during two consecutive court hearings, Bartholomew Circuit Judge Kelly Benjamin followed state law by ordering the defendant to be interviewed by two mental health professionals, so they could give recommendations whether he’s competent to stand trial.
Court officials say an court-mandated examination by one psychiatrist and one psychologist, as required by state law, costs an average of $5,000 ($2,500 for each expert).
After the mental health professionals filed their reports, Hippensteel was sent to Logansport State Psychiatric Hospital for three months.
The daily rate at the Cass County facility is $2,033. according to the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration website. So, unless criminal defendants are evaluated at a lower rate, a 91-day stay at the Cass County facility would cost taxpayers $185,003.
On Aug 5, defense attorney Joseph Villaneuva informed the court he intends to use an insanity defense. Once again, state law require examinations by one psychiatrist and one psychologist – this time regarding sanity when the crime was committed. That cost an additional $5,000.
While the psychiatrist filed his report on time, the psychologist hired in early August has not yet submitted her findings to Benjamin. That resulted in the postponement of a status hearing in Hippensteel’s case, which has been rescheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31.
If Hippensteel is found “not guilty by reason of insanity,” the cost of keeping the defendant indefinitely in a state psychiatric hospital varies significantly depending on various factors, including the individual’s treatment needs. Costs could range from thousands of dollars to tens of thousands of dollars a month – often much more than a life sentence in prison, according to the Legislative Services Agency for the Indiana General Assembly.
If the case goes to a jury, an Indiana government website states the trial will cost an average of $42,658 if the prosecution is seeking life without parole.
Investigators say the 54-year-old Flores died from multiple gunshot wounds to the head inside the home of Hippensteel’s grandfather, Danny Sanders, at 2630 Joseph Cox Court.
Hippensteel, a Jennings County native who describes himself as homeless, was staying with his grandfather at the time of the shooting, according to court documents. Police reports do not reveal any motive for the homicide, although Sanders said the defendant had been “ranting and raving and upset all day,” according to a probable cause affidavit.
“Sanders advised that Hippensteel has mental health issues and believed he had been drinking liquor since (Nov. 26) due to finding an almost empty half gallon,” a CPD detective wrote in the probable cause affidavit.
