Case ID: so2d_318/html/0043-02.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "DIXON, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

STATE of Louisiana ex rel. Joe Nathan TUBBS v. C. Murray HENDERSON, Warden, Louisiana State Penitentiary.
    No. 56555.
    Supreme Court of Louisiana.
    Sept. 11, 1975.
   In re: Joe Nathan Tubbs applying for Writs of Certiorari and Habeas Corpus.

Writ refused. No merit in the application. The 1969 sanity commission finding negates relator’s present complaint of incapacity.

DIXON, J.

is of the opinion the writ must be granted and a hearing ordered. Applicant has never had a hearing or a ruling on the issue now presented. The issue here is whether applicant’s mental illness when he pleaded guilty precluded a free, voluntary & informed plea. The issue is not the same as that in a plea of insanity (whether defendant understands the nature of the offense and can assist counsel). Prior court proceedings have determined his capacity under La. law to stand trial, but not his capacity, under Federal standards, to plead guilty.

CALOGERO, J., would grant this writ application.