Source: http://al.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20140613_0000861.MAL.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2016-12-08 18:09:04
Document Index: 273667984

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 846', '§4241', '§ 4241', '§ 3552', '§ 3552', '§ 3552', '§ 3552', '§ 4241', '§ 3552', '§ 4241', '§ 4247', '§ 3552', '§ 3553']

UNITED STATES OF AMERICAv.MARK EDWARD ELLIOTT
Defendant Mark Edward Elliott has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846 & 841(a)(1). This matter is now before the court on Elliott's motion for evaluation, which essentially makes two requests: (1) a competency-for-trial evaluation and (2) a mental-health evaluation for sentencing purposes. The motion will be granted.
"At any time after the commencement of a prosecution for an offense and prior to the sentencing of the defendant, ... the defendant... may file a motion for a hearing to determine the mental competency of the defendant." 18 U.S.C. §4241(a). "The court shall grant" such motion "if there is reasonable cause to believe that the defendant may presently be suffering from a mental disease or defect rendering him mentally incompetent to the extent that he is unable to understand the nature and consequences of the proceedings against him or to assist properly in his defense." Id . The court may order a defendant to be committed for a reasonable period to the custody of the Attorney General to be placed in a suitable Bureau of Prisons facility for a competency examination. 18 U.S.C. §§ 4241(b); 4247(b).
In this case, based upon the representations made by counsel for Elliott in his motion for evaluation and during a conference call held on the record on June 12, 2014, the court concludes that there is reasonable cause to believe Elliott may not be competent. Specifically, counsel for Elliott indicates that she "questions whether Elliott's mental state and condition would preclude him from being competent to stand trial and for purposes of sentencing, " Motion for Mental Evaluation (Doc. No. 573) at 1, based in part on Elliott's repeated pro se filings in this case, head trauma he has apparently suffered while incarcerated during the pendency of this case, reported lifelong history of drug abuse, and allegations that he committed sexual assault.
The government has no objection to a competency evaluation and a competency hearing. The court will, therefore, order the Bureau of Prisons to do a competency evaluation of Elliott, and, after receipt of the evaluation, the court will hold a hearing.
During a conference call held on the record on June 12, 2014, counsel for Elliott indicated that she is also requesting the evaluation for the purpose of assisting the court in fashioning an appropriate sentence if Elliott is found competent. The court construes this request as a motion for a presentence study pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3552(a).
While, ordinarily, a § 3552(b) study "shall be conducted in the local community by qualified consultants, " the statute also authorizes the court to order that the study be done by the Bureau of Prisons upon the finding of "a compelling reason." 18 U.S.C. § 3552(b). In this case, the court finds that the fact that Elliott will already be committed to Bureau of Prisons custody for the purposes of a competency evaluation constitutes a compelling reason to order that the § 3552(b) study be conducted by the Bureau of Prisons as well. Moreover, Elliott himself has asked that the evaluation be done by the Bureau of Prisons.
Accordingly, it is ORDERED that the motion for a mental health evaluation (doc. no. 573) made by defendant Mark Edward Elliott is granted.
Furthermore, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 4241(b) and § 3552(b), it is ORDERED as follows:
(1) Pursuant to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. §§ 4241 and 4247(b) & (c), the United States Marshal for this district shall immediately remove defendant Elliott to the custody of the warden of an appropriate institution as may be designated by the Attorney General, where he is to be committed for the purpose of being observed, examined, and treated for a period not to exceed 30 days by one or more qualified psychiatrists or psychologists at the institution. The 30-day period shall be counted from the day defendant Elliott arrives at the designated institution.
(2) Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 4247(c), the examining psychiatrists or psychologists conducting the mental examination of defendant Elliott shall report in writing to this court within 45 days from the date of defendant Elliott's arrival at the institution as to their findings, opinions, and conclusions relative to the competency or incompetency of defendant Elliott.
(3) Furthermore, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3552(b), the examining psychiatrists or psychologists shall evaluate defendant Elliott's psychological condition for the purposes of sentencing and shall include their findings in either the competency evaluation or in a separate report to be presented to this court at the same time as the competency evaluation. In particular, the report or reports shall address:
(A) Defendant Elliott's psychological condition, particularly as it may relate to his repeated pro se filings in this case, head trauma he has reportedly suffered while incarcerated during the pendency of this case, his reported lifelong history of drug abuse, and allegations that he committed sexual assault; and
(B) Any other matters the Bureau of Prisons believes are pertinent to the factors set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a).