Opinion ID: 1325306
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Psychiatric Examinations.

Text: In response to Gray's motion, the trial court appointed a private psychiatrist to evaluate Gray and assist in his defense. Gray contends, nonetheless, that the court erred in refusing to provide him with funds so he could choose his own psychiatrist. The contention is meritless. Before an indigent defendant is entitled to a court-appointed independent psychiatrist to assist the defense in a capital case, there must be a threshold showing that his sanity is likely to be a significant factor in his defense. Ake v. Oklahoma, 470 U.S. 68, 83, 105 S.Ct. 1087, 1097, 84 L.Ed.2d 53 (1985); Tuggle v. Commonwealth, 230 Va. 99, 104, 334 S.E.2d 838, 841 (1985), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 106 S.Ct. 3309, 92 L.Ed.2d 722 (1986). Additionally, when the Commonwealth in a capital sentencing proceeding presents psychiatric evidence of an indigent defendant's future dangerousness, the Commonwealth must provide the defendant the assistance of a psychiatrist on the issue. Ake, 470 U.S. at 86-87, 105 S.Ct. at 1098-99; Tuggle, 230 Va. at 107-08, 334 S.E.2d at 843-44. It is clear, however, that an indigent accused does not have a constitutional right to choose a psychiatrist of his personal liking or to receive funds to hire his own. Ake, 470 U.S. at 83, 105 S.Ct. at 1097; Pruett v. Commonwealth, 232 Va. 266, 276, 351 S.E.2d 1, 7 (1986); Beaver v. Commonwealth, 232 Va. 521, 528, 352 S.E.2d 342, 346 (1987); Tuggle, 230 Va. at 107, 334 S.E.2d at 843. In the present case, Gray made no threshold showing that his sanity would likely be a significant factor in his defense, and the Commonwealth did not present psychiatric evidence that he would be a danger to society in the future. Nevertheless, the trial court appointed a private psychiatrist to assist the defense. Thus, Gray received more than is constitutionally mandated, and clearly the trial court did not err in refusing to allow Gray to choose his own psychiatrist. After furnishing Gray with the private psychiatrist, the trial court, on the Commonwealth's motion, and over Gray's objection, ordered that Gray be sent to Central State Hospital for a psychiatric examination to determine his mental condition at the time of the offense and whether he might be dangerous in the future. Although Gray complains about the entry of the order, the record shows that he refused to answer all questions posed by the hospital staff. Moreover, no psychiatric evidence was produced at either the guilt phase or the penalty phase of the trial. We conclude, therefore, that Gray's contention that the trial court erred in ordering the examination is without merit.