This article describes a liability suit filed against the State of New York following the suicide of a man hospitalized & supervised by members of a State hospital. A biography of Mr. Katz (the patient) & a summary of the judgment of the court are included. The court concluded that although Mr. Katz died by suicide, the State was not liable because he left the facility without permission, reasonable standards of care were provided, & the supervisors were competent in their actions. (SC)