Source: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/542/746/24911/
Timestamp: 2019-11-13 01:40:08
Document Index: 653458565

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 871', '§ 3006', '§ 3006', '§ 3006', '§ 3006', '§ 3006', '§ 3006']

United States of America, Appellee, v. Marvin Clyde Lincoln, Appellant, 542 F.2d 746 (8th Cir. 1976) :: Justia
Justia › US Law › Case Law › Federal Courts › Courts of Appeals › Eighth Circuit › 1976 › United States of America, Appellee, v. Marvin Clyde Lincoln, Appellant
United States of America, Appellee, v. Marvin Clyde Lincoln, Appellant, 542 F.2d 746 (8th Cir. 1976)
US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit - 542 F.2d 746 (8th Cir. 1976) Submitted Sept. 13, 1976. Decided Oct. 15, 1976
Defendant appeals from his jury conviction on Count I of making a written threat on September 20, 1975, to take the life of the President of the United States in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 871.1 The principal issue on this appeal is whether the trial court abused its discretion in denying defendant's motion under 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(e) (1) for appointment of an independent psychiatrist of his own choosing. We affirm.
Later that day the district court filed an order pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(e) (1) providing that defendant be examined as to his mental condition by Dr. Joseph S. Shuman, a St. Louis psychiatrist, for the purpose of determining "defendant's present capacity to understand the proceedings against him and to assist in his own defense, and also said defendant's mental state and capacity for criminal responsibility on the date of the offenses alleged against him in the indictment" and further directed that the psychiatrist report his findings to the court. Dr. Shuman's report dated February 7, 1976, addressed to Judge Nangle concluded that defendant was competent to stand trial and competent at the time of the offense. A copy of the report was made available to both counsel.
On February 11, 1976, counsel for defendant again filed a motion for the appointment of Dr. Kulak to test and examine his client. In this motion counsel indicated he had visited with Dr. Shuman but urged for the first time that under 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(e) (1) he was entitled to be examined by a psychiatrist of his own choosing. The motion was denied.
The purpose of psychiatric examination under section 4244 is only to establish defendant's competency to stand trial. United States v. Maret, 433 F.2d 1064, 1067 (8th Cir. 1970), cert. denied, 402 U.S. 989, 91 S. Ct. 1678, 29 L. Ed. 2d 155 (1971). " * * * (S)ection 4244 does not authorize an order compelling a defendant to submit to a psychiatric examination to determine his sanity at the time of the offense * * *." United States v. Malcolm, 475 F.2d 420, 424 (9th Cir. 1973). See also United States v. Albright, 388 F.2d 719, 722 (4th Cir. 1968). However, the court may order such an examination within its inherent power, id.; see also Alexander v. United States, 380 F.2d 33, 39 (8th Cir. 1967); United States v. Moudy, 462 F.2d 694, 697 (5th Cir. 1972), and Fed. R. Crim. P. 12.2(c) not yet in effect at trial, now specifically permits such an examination. We are aware of no rule prohibiting an order, as was entered in this case, authorizing an examination of defendant's competency at the time of the offense contemporaneous with an examination of defendant's competency to stand trial. We perceive strong reasons for permitting such a dual examination.
After receiving the report from the Federal Medical Center defendant's counsel moved for the appointment of a designated psychiatrist, Dr. Kulak, without giving a specific reason therefor other than the statement that defendant had told his counsel that his contact with the psychiatrists at the Springfield Medical Center had been very limited and consisted of only short interviews and was void of any detailed testing.3 The district court, as previously indicated, although expressing doubt as to the need therefor, appointed another psychiatrist, Dr. Shuman. No objection with respect to Dr. Shuman's qualifications was made by the defendant. After the report was received and Dr. Shuman had been interviewed by defendant's counsel, defendant again asked for the appointment of Dr. Kulak. For the first time defendant requested that the appointment be made under 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(e) (1).
Appellant in effect insists that we adopt a per se rule requiring the appointment of a psychiatrist of defendant's choosing when so requested under 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(e) (1). This we refuse to do.
Ordinarily when defendant's counsel has made a reasonable showing of the need for psychiatric services in presenting a defense to the charge such services should be provided under 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(e) (1). Brinkley v. United States, 498 F.2d 505 (8th Cir. 1974); United States v. Schultz,431 F.2d 907 (8th Cir. 1970). In determining the reasonableness of such a request the court may consider the results of other competency examinations. Brinkley, supra, 498 F.2d at 510 n.2; United States v. Maret, 433 F.2d 1064 (8th Cir. 1970), cert. denied, 402 U.S. 989, 91 S. Ct. 1678, 29 L. Ed. 2d 155 (1971).
We also note that other courts have expressed the view that it is ordinarily desirable to appoint under section 3006A(e) (1) a psychiatrist preferred by the defendant. United States v. Bass, 477 F.2d 723, 725-26 (9th Cir. 1973); United States v. Edwards, 488 F.2d 1154, 1162-63 (5th Cir. 1974). In this connection it must be kept in mind that when an insanity defense is appropriate the indigent defendant is entitled to psychiatric assistance necessary to both the preparation and presentation of an adequate defense. Brinkley v. United States, supra.
If appellant had chosen to call Dr. Shuman as his witness he would have been subject to the reciprocal disclosure requirements of Fed. R. Crim. P. Rule 16(b) (1) (B)