Judge orders rules that former Southington man must take anti-psychotic medications

Staff report

WARREN

A judge has ordered a former Southington man found not guilty by reason of insanity in the 2012 shooting death of his wife to take two anti-psychotic medications at a state mental-health facility.

Judge Andrew Logan of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court presided over a hearing Nov. 20 in which he heard testimony from two doctors, a social worker and a nurse at Heartland Behavioral Healthcare regarding Royce Honaker, 65.

Dr. Samina Zadai testified that Honaker suffers from schizophrenia and psychosis. She said she wants Honaker to take two anti-psychotic medications.

Honaker agreed to take a small dose, but Dr. Zadai said she doesn’t believe that amount will do any good. She would like to use a dose about five to six times as high.

She said Honaker is “extremely paranoid” and suspicious and also spends much of his time by himself.

In his ruling, Judge Logan said the two doctors indicated the medications were in Honaker’s best interest and that Honaker lacks the capacity to give informed consent regarding such treatment.

The judge ordered Honaker to cooperate with all prescribed medication. If he does not, medical staff are authorized to administer the prescribed medications against Honaker’s will.

Honaker killed his wife, Donna, at their Southington Township home.