In late April of 2025, the federal judge overseeing Luke Wenke’s case ordered Wenke to undergo involuntary inpatient mental health treatment. The decision came on the heels of multiple mental evaluations that were carried out over an extended time period, which resulted in Wenke being deemed competent but likely mentally ill and in need of care at a “suitable facility.”
Wenke immediately appealed the ruling, arguing that forced treatment was unnecessary, and filed a motion to stay his commitment. If granted, this would have enabled Wenke to remain housed in a county jail pending the outcome of his appeal, rather than being transferred to a federal medical prison to begin his treatment.
The judge denied the motion, and Wenke was sent to FMC Devens in Massachusetts as he continued to pursue his appeal. In the document below, Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. explains his reasons for denying the motion to stay, noting that Wenke had failed to prove that he would suffer “irreparable injury” in the absence of a stay being granted while highlighting forensic psychologist Dr. Corey Leidenfrost’s findings that Wenke was at imminent risk of violence. Additionally, Judge Sinatra noted that Wenke’s involuntary commitment was in the best interests of both the public and Wenke, because it would give him access to proper treatment while he served out the tail-end of his maximum allowable term for violating his supervised release.
After Judge Sinatra denied the motion to stay, Wenke’s public defender filed a nearly identical motion to stay with the federal appeals court, which was also denied.
USA v. Luke Wenke – Order
May 16th, 2025
CASE #1:22-cr-00035, DOC. #205
USA v. Luke Wenke – Order – Doc. #205Categories: Luke Wenke, appeals, competency, Court Documents: orders
Tags: Buffalo, NY; Dr. Corey Leidenfrost, dangerousness, denial of mental illness, FMC Devens, involuntary commitment, Dr. Kaitlyn Nelson, Massachusetts, psychiatric/psychological evaluations, public safety, resistance to mental health treatment, Dr. Robin Watkins