Trial doubtful for man charged in killing 3 relatives

Kim Smith

Monday, Aug. 20, 2001 | 9:06 a.m.

Doctors at a state-run mental health facility don't believe a young Las Vegas man suspected of killing his sister and grandparents will ever be able to stand trial without medication.

Doctors at Lake's Crossing in Sparks are asking for permission to forcibly medicate Dante Pattison, 21.

Pattison is accused of using a rifle to gun down his sister, Carrie Adric-Pattison, 32, and their grandparents, Yoshio Kato, 82, and Sally Kato, 75, on Feb. 24.

According to police reports, the Pattisons' aunt, Grace Kato, was on her computer when she heard yelling coming from her niece's room. When she walked into the room, she saw Carrie Adric-Pattison trying to stop Dante Pattison from getting a gun out of a bag.

Grace Kato told police she ran into the kitchen to call 911, but because the computer was still on, she had to run to a neighbor's house. As she ran next door, she heard a gun shot.

When police arrived, they heard two more shots and saw Pattison standing in an open doorway. After twice being asked by police to come outside, Pattison came out and was arrested.

Carrie Adric-Pattison was found dead in the bedroom. Yoshio Kato was found in the family room, and Sally Kato was in the kitchen. All had been shot in the head.

Pattison declined to give a statement to police and was later admitted to Lake's Crossing for evaluation after questions arose about his mental competency.

Under Nevada law, people who are incompetent cannot understand the nature of the charges against them and are unable to help in their own defense.

According to court documents, Pattison has been diagnosed with "antisocial personality disorder, adjustment disorder with disturbance of emotion and conduct."

Pattison is refusing to take any medications, and the doctors would like permission to force him to take such drugs as Haldol, an anti-psychotic medication, according to court records.

The documents state that "without a court order allowing the administration of this medication, the patient's condition is likely to deteriorate, and it is doubtful that he will ever recover sufficiently to be able to leave the locked hospital."