Document: 383 U.S. 375 86 S.Ct. 836 15 L.Ed.2d 815 Frank J. PATE, Warden, Petitioner,v.Theodore ROBINSON. No. 382. Argued Jan. 26, 1966. Decided March 7, Richard A. Michael, Chicago, Ill., for petitioner. John C. Tucker, respondent. Mr. Justice CLARK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 In 1959 respondent Robinson was convicted murder his commonlaw wife, Flossie May Ward, and sentenced to imprisonment life. Being an indigent he defended by court-appointed counsel. It conceded at trial that shot killed May, but counsel claimed insane time shooting raised issue incompetence stand trial. On writ error Supreme Court Illinois it asserted court's rejection these contentions deprived due process law under Fourteenth Amendment. His conviction affirmed, court finding no hearing on mental capacity had been equested, evidence failed raise sufficient doubt as competence require conduct a its own motion, further did not 'reasonable doubt' sanity offense. People v. Robinson, 22 Ill.2d 162, 174 N.E.2d 820 (1961). We denied certiorari. Pate, 368 995, 82 618, 7 533 (1962). Thereupon, filed this petition habeas corpus, which without United States District Northern Illinois. The Appeals reversed, ex rel. Cir., 345 F.2d 691 (1965), ground in unduly hurried fair opportunity obtain expert psychiatric testimony, development facts issues Robinson's insanity when committed homicide present incompetence. remanded case with directions appoint Robinson; hold alleged offense; and, if found him have time, order release, subject examination into condition. directed should also determine upon whether state failure trial; were rights violated respect, 'should be ordered released, such release may delayed reasonable * permit State grant new trial.' F.2d, 698. granted certiorari resolve difficult questions state-federal relations posed rulings. 382 890, 182, 148 (1965). concluded constitutionally entitled Since we do think there could meaningful late date, direct Court, after affording another put charges within discharged. Accordingly, affirm decision except insofar contemplated competence. Our disposition makes unnecessary reach other reasons given reversal.1 I. 2 concedes accused person while is legally incompetent violates process, Bishop States, 350 961, 76 440, 100 L.Ed. 835 (1956), procedures must adequate protect right. insists, however, intelligently waived request further, basis before judge duty rested sua sponte. A determination claims necessitates detailed discussion touching question time. 3 uncontradicted testimony four witnesses2 called defense revealed long history disturbed behavior. mother testified between seven eight years age brick dropped from third floor hit head. 'He blacked out blood run head like faucet.' Thereafter 'he acted little peculiar.' blow knocked 'cockeyed' took specialist 'to correct crossness eyes.' He suffered headaches during childhood, apparently stemming same event. became noticeably erratic about 1946 or 1947 visiting furlough Army. While sitting talking guest, jumped up bar kicked hole front.' asked 'what earth wrong just stared (her), placed both hands pockets.' occasions appeared daze, 'glare eyes,' would speak respond questions. 1951, few discharge service, 'lost mind pacing saying something him.' This incident occurred home aunt, Helen Calhoun. Disturbed conduct, Mrs. Calhoun six o'clock morning, she 'went see tried prevent opening door, 'that someone going shoot come that, gaining admittance, 'I went hugged ask what pushing me back, telling get somebody him, Upon being questioned facial expression stated 'had starey look seemed foamy mouth.' policeman finally called. aunt cab drove them Hines Hospital. way jump cab, arrival hospital so violent strapped wheel chair. then taken ambulance County Psychopathic Hospital, transferred Kankakee medical records recited: 4 'The reason admission: patient admitted 5th day June, 1952, Patient began presenting symptoms illness year ago came mother's house. requested money refused, suddenly her bar. 5 'Was drinking imagined heard voices, voices men women saw things. bit everything. animals, snakes elephants lasted two days. Hines. They sent threatened him. outside pistol aimed very, very scared call police police. thought harmed. And says all seems foolish now. friendly tries cooperate. 6 through acute toxic episode has some insight. heavily. I am wondering possibly isn't schizophrenic. recovered seen wife pathetic state. objection giving try.' After irrational episodes more serious. grandfather working painter's assistant, 'all once, down (from ladder) walk never say where whatnot three hours, daze comes out, back fresh. didn't anything. noticed wasn't himself.' related one night staying house 'ruckus,' caused flee grandfather's bedroom. first kick door. grabbed wife's clothes their room threw yard, intending set fire. got unruly lock up. 8 1953 separated brought 18-month-old son Calhoun's permission stay couple She observed highly nervous, prancing staring wildly. work next attempted suicide himself son, nearby park take life again jumping lagoon. By description, 'was wandering around' park, walked 'asked cigarett.' stipulated South Park Station 10, 1953, said wanted confess crime. When removed hat treatment hiw wound. 9 served almost prison killing released September 1956. months thereafter live Ward home. summer 1957 1958 'jumped on' brother-in-law 'beat terrible.' station swore warrant arrest. described abnormalities told officers 'seemed mind.' pick can away.' Later why they custody because 'the fighting around streets, people beating up.' made complaint month Ward. However, ever 10 10:30 p.m. small barbecue worked. At customers restaurant, counter. appears record entered restaurant gun hand. As approached counter, said, 'Don't start nothing tonight.' minute, rear use hand, leaped over rushed toward front past employees behind fired once twice May. counter ran door pursuit. dead sidewalk.3 spoke word three-to-four minute episode. 11 Subsequently apartment friend, Moore, who summoned officers, uniform, arrived, standing hall approximately half elevator apartment. Unaware identity, Moore answered left short earlier. turned still attempt avoid arrested. address gave several evasive answers. knowing anything killing.4 12 Four witnesses expressed insane.5 rebuttal introduced only stipulation Dr. William H. Haines, Director Behavior Clinic Criminal Cook would, present, testify knew nature against able cooperate examined since include prosecutor advised 'we Haines' man sane insane. possible might know charge evidence, your Honor, defendant examined.' prosecutor, 'You enough don't you need Haines.' summation emphasized 'our clear *. crime time.' court, closing argument defense, guilty natural II. 13 insists deliberately failing demand provided law. But contradictory argue incompetent, yet knowingly 'waive' right See Taylor 282 16, 23 (C.A.8th Cir. 1960). any event, shows throughout proceedings insisted much issue. point elicit 'present sanity.' judge, presently heard.' Moreover, suggested insane.' With cannot trial.6 14 believe behalf make inquiry thus constitutional trial.7 Thomas Cunningham, 313 934 (C.A.4th 1963). jealously guards Where raises 'bona fide defendant's trial, motion impanel jury pursuant Ill.Rev.Stat., c. 38, § 104—2 (1963). Shrake, 25 141, 182 754 held here light alertness understanding displayed 'colloquies' judge. Ill.2d, 168, N.E.2d, 823. reasoning offers justification ignoring pronounced demeanor relevant ultimate sanity, relied dispense Cf. reversing, 96 U.S.App.D.C. 117, 120, 223 582, 585 (1955). Likewise, ability assist defense. But, seemingly admitted, presented properly deemed dispositive competence.8 III. Having determined abridged receive corpus discharged, unless gives accords procedure adopted Rogers Richmond, 365 534, 81 735, 760 applied erroneous standard admissibility confession, 'defendant determinative guilt appropriate procedures, conform requirements Amendment.' 547— 548, 743. pressed us limited 1959. If competent, judgment stand. previously difficulty retrospectively determining accused's Dusky 362 402, 80 788, 824 (1960). observe inquiry, solely information contained printed record. That fact aggravates difficulties. concurrent distinguishes Jackson Denno, 378 368, 84 1774, 908 (1964), remand obligation separate voluntariness confession. 16 elects retry will course open special thereon. event exists held. competent usual defenses available accused. 17 action consistent opinion. ordered. 18 Case directions. 19 HARLAN, whom BLACK joins, dissenting. 20 now canvassed support holding fully sifted agree unanimous appraisal less proportions. 21 become sufficiently manifest denies fail initiative. dissent general proposition, 'waived' entitle proof. Waiver apposite concept premise deranged oversee lawyers. our avoided error, too drastic exaction view proof problems arising significant lapse time.1 known force necessary violation pursue question. Before turning facts, pertinent consider quality are supposed indicate. federal courts—and assume courts—the test warrants postponing reasonably well settled. language occasion faced issue, 'test (the defendant) consult lawyer degree rational understanding—and factual him." 824. short, emphasis comprehend proceedings, lower courts recognized means those criminal responsibility crime.2 question, then, act Court's affirmative answer rests kinds principally adduced prove main case. First, number severe irrationality past. Among slaying infant suicide, efforts burn clothing, fits temper abstraction, seven-week incarceration tempered State's counterarguments, example, son's alcoholism explain hospitalization, written off entirely. remains suggest Ward's act, matter common knowledge evidences incapacity Indeed, pattern best indicate function adequately most interrupted periods derangement quite apparent second class data theory, remarks 'presently insane,' deserves comment. statements addressed killing, is, acts, competency trial.3 24 Whatever mild doubts stir surely allayed positive indications Foremost behavior courtroom. reveals colloquies undoubtedly permitted inference cognizant defense.4 Turning lay impressions expert, County, earlier called, 'knows counsel.' conclusive factor lawyers, closest contact moved incompetency grounds trial;5 indeed, counsel's seem read affirmation 'lucidity' peculiar unable p. 386, n. 8, ante, Thus, opportunities personal observation possess halt motion. 26 Several urged relief Robinson. These grunds understandably discussed opinion, proceedings. my view, reversed dismissal reinstated. Nor pass contention Sixth Amendment judge's refusal summonses material witnesses. Miss Willie Ceola Peterson, mother; Langham, grandfather; Calhoun, aunt; Alice family friend. Reverend Elmer Clemons fracas. indictment covering offense dismissed close According arresting officer following exchange place: name 'My Ted.' 'What real name?' 'Theodore Robinson.' Then him—I arrest 'For what?' 'Well, south side.' it. 'No, about.' So lived place.' mean place?' 'That's said.' 'So pretty soon 'Sometimes mother.' 'Where does live?' 'Some East 44th Street.' 27th making slip, 7320 Parkway. That's said. anything.' stated: follows: 'Q. Do insane? 'A. sick. First all, opinion? Yes. What sanity? mentally sick.' Although phrased terms insanity, interpret necessarily placing Counsel simply borrowing terminology statutes decisions. effect differentiated lack used 'insanity' describe concepts. §§ 592, 593 judges likewise decisions insanity. See, e.g., Baker, 484, 187 N.W.2d 227 statutory provisions field clarified enactment article dealing 'competency accused.' 104—1 104—3 (1963), amended Code Procedure 1963. Even meant refer commitment 592 affect words considered. stressed, give introduce sanity. continuance hours secure appearance psychiatrist Psychiatric Institute. argument: 'In case, serious reservations. feel lucidity bears legal terms. Theodore lucid interval. witness *' inquiry. simple claim until established James Boles, 339 431; Kendrick, 331 110; Lyles 103 22, 254 725. noted 383, 5, difference wrong. Counsel's statement, too, quoted acquittal, postponement. infra. responded saying: 'When moods, insane; opinion: '(T)he reflects instances manner. Typical alertness, proceeding, appear 'Your honor, list produced two. For reason, know, every consideration, adjourned tomorrow morning—to confer calling witnesses.' Again, discussing said: contending Moore's mine. beginning attorney pre-trial preliminary validity me." bear suggestion apprised believed even granting 'insane' synonym 'incompetent' then-existing (pp. 384-385, 6, ante). Under law, naturally expect, acquitting nowhere hint believes deferred abated client fit continue. ready explanation references insanity,' apart emphasizing responsibility, acquitted shall verdict cured afflicted 'such insanity' latter instance. (1959).

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