Joni Mitchell’s health better, but judge extends conservatorship

Joni Mitchell performing in 1983

A Los Angeles judge Wednesday extended a conservatorship over Joni Mitchell, but noted that the singer has made “remarkable progress” in her recovery since being found unconscious in her home in late March.

“That’s extraordinary,” Superior Court Judge David Cunningham said when apprised of Mitchell’s improved condition by the entertainer’s court- appointed lawyer, Rebecca Thyne.

Mitchell’s longtime friend, Leslie Morris, will fill the role as the singer’s permanent conservator until another hearing on July 8, 2016.

In May, Cunningham named Morris, of Sherman Oaks, as temporary conservator, giving her interim authority to oversee Mitchell’s care, but not her finances and business interests.

Morris declined to comment after the hearing.

“I have nothing to say,” Morris said.

Mitchell was not present for the hearing.

In court papers filed Wednesday, Thyne said Mitchell’s health is on the mend.

“While (Mitchell) has made great progress toward recovery, the capacity declaration of (neurologist Paul Vespa) indicates that she lacks capacity to make informed medical decisions,” lawyer Rebecca Thyne wrote. “I agreed that (Mitchell) still needs assistance with such decisions.”

On March 31, Mitchell was taken to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center to undergo tests after collapsing at her Bel Air home. People magazine has reported that she suffered a stroke.

Thyne says in her court papers that Mitchell was unresponsive when she visited the singer at the hospital on April 30. But when she went to the “Big Yellow Taxi” singer’s home on June 26, Mitchell was sitting at her kitchen table eating lunch.

The 71-year-old Mitchell said she was pleased with Morris’ role as her temporary conservator and that she would like her friend’s authority to be extended, according to Thyne.

“She also told me that she receives excellent care from caregivers around the clock,” Thyne stated in her court papers. “It was clear that she was happy to be home and that she has made remarkable progress. She has physical therapy each day and is expected to make a full recovery.”

—City News Service

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Joni Mitchell’s health better, but judge extends conservatorship