Opinion ID: 2382953
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Rights under Chapter 522

Text: Appellant testified at the 27.26 hearing that Mr. Simon gave him the papers from the mental health center showing that Everything is o. k.; that he read them; that Mr. Simon asked if the papers were in order; that appellant replied affirmatively, as best he could see; that Mr. Simon did not sit down and go over the papers with him. Asked if Mr. Simon ever explained to him that he had a right to a hearing on the question of competence, appellant answered that as far as he knew the only conversation they had about mental status was the morning in the courtroom and in the lawyer's office that afternoon. Appellant testified that he did not understand what they were talking about when the court inquired whether Mr. Simon had advised appellant that he had a right to a hearing on this issue. Appellant testified that he did not know that he had a right to a hearing on his mental competence; that if he had known of this right he would have asked to have his own psychiatrists examine him, before entering a plea of guilty. Mr. Simon testified that he furnished copies of the psychiatrists' reports to both appellant and his wife; that he was convinced from the mental report that this was a question of alcoholism, as the doctor found, and not mental disease or defect. At the hearing on July 10, 1969 the judge stated that he had received the report from the health center. Mr. Simon told the court that he had gone over the matter with the defendant and stated We feel in view of the report and in view of the defendant's present position that we do not wish to pursue any further remedy under Chapter 552; the defendant is aware of the proceedings, and is fully competent to stand trial. In answer to inquiry by the court Mr. Simon stated that he had advised his client that he had a right to a hearing on this issue if he wished and appellant acknowledged that That is true. Both Mr. Simon and appellant then answered affirmatively that they agreed that the report be taken in evidence and utilized by the court in making a finding on that issue. After the 27.26 hearing the court expressly found that appellant was examined by physicians at the mental health center; that the hospital reports indicated that appellant was competent to stand trial and was responsible for his actions at the time of the alleged crime; that Mr. Simon stated at the time of the entry of the plea that he did not intend to pursue the matter of mental condition, and that when he pleaded guilty appellant was not in any way physically or mentally incapable of understanding the proceeding.