Mental Health Evaluation Discussed in Closed-Door Murder Hearing

A closed-door session in Superior Court on Thursday focused on the mental health of Anyah Smith and how the legal system can balance her needs with the demands of justice. Smith, 32, has been held at the Bureau of Corrections since March, when she was charged with the drowning death of her nine-year-old daughter, Ja’Qeada Isaac.

Smith appeared remotely from the John Bell Adult Correctional Facility on St. Croix for the hearing, which was held under seal after a request from her Public Defender, Frederick Johnson. Superior Court Judge Sigrid Tejo, also appearing via live stream, granted the request to exclude the public after a brief recess.

Prosecutors, led by Assistant Attorney General Ramiro Orozco, had previously filed a motion seeking a mental health evaluation for Smith. “The People believe that the health and well-being of the defendant, Anyah Smith, would be best served by having a status hearing and having the Bureau of Corrections, by and through their medical practitioner, Dr. Evadne Sang, provide a petition under oath to this Court… to determine whether emergency commitment is warranted,” Orozco said. The motion highlighted concerns about whether immediate commitment and treatment were necessary to avoid potential harm to Smith or others.