Opinion ID: 1704551
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Inadequate Mental Health Evaluation

Text: A criminal defendant is entitled to expert psychiatric assistance when the State makes his or her mental state relevant to the proceeding. See Ake v. Oklahoma, 470 U.S. 68, 105 S.Ct. 1087, 84 L.Ed.2d 53 (1985). In the present case, Sireci argues that the mental health experts who evaluated him in preparation for his resentencing, and who eventually testified at his penalty phase, failed to conduct a professionally competent evaluation and failed to present their testimony to the jury in a comprehensible manner. The record indicates that during the resentencing hearing, defense counsel presented the testimony of several experts in psychology and mental health. First, Dr. Dorothy Lewis, a psychiatrist, testified extensively at trial regarding her evaluations and findings as to Sireci's mental state, cognitive abilities, brain damage and evidence of abuse. Second, Dr. Jonathan Pincus, a neurologist, also testified in reference to Sireci's brain damage and birth-related trauma. Moreover, defense counsel also presented evidence of the abuse suffered by Sireci through the testimony of Mark Morrison, a clinical services supervisor at a non-for-profit social service agency that provides treatment services to children who have experienced sexual or physical abuse, and the testimony of Kevin Sullivan, a licensed clinical social worker. A review of the record indicates that these individuals provided a complete picture of Sireci's bleak childhood and mental state. The experts thoroughly explained how Sireci was affected by his abusive childhood and organic brain damage. Contrary to appellant's assertion, we find that this evidence was presented in a clear and comprehensible manner. Because the record conclusively refutes Sireci's claim that he received an incompetent mental health evaluation, we uphold the trial court's summary denial of this claim.