Opinion ID: 852183
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Guilty But Mentally Ill

Text: Baer's various GBMI strategies sought an alternative verdict available when a defendant suffers from mental illness or deficiency but nonetheless remains capable of discerning right from wrong. Ind.Code § 35-36-2-3 (2008). Mentally ill for these purposes means having a psychiatric disorder which substantially disturbs a person's thinking, feeling, or behavior and impairs the person's ability to function; `mentally ill' also includes having any mental retardation. Ind.Code § 35-36-1-1 (2008). The difference between guilty and guilty but mentally ill does not compel a difference in sentencing. Ind.Code § 35-36-2-5(a) (2008 & Supp.2010). When a court enters a verdict of GBMI, the defendant must be psychiatrically evaluated before sentencing. Ind.Code § 35-36-2-5(b). Then, when the Department of Correction receives the defendant as a prisoner, he is further evaluated and treated in a manner as indicated by the mental illness. Ind. Code § 35-36-2-5(c). This treatment may be done by the Department of Correction or the Division of Mental Health and Addiction, either during imprisonment or during defendant's probation. Ind.Code § 35-36-2-5(c) & (d). [1] Baer never argued that he was insane or that he was otherwise not guilty. (Appellant's Br. at 14.) Judge Spencer having declined to accept Baer's pretrial plea of guilty but mentally ill, Baer's lawyers emphasized to the jury that he was mentally ill. The guilt phase of Baer's trial thus determined only which of the two possible versions of guilty verdicts should be entered. The trial court's decision to decline Baer's plea of GBMI was available as an issue for direct appeal. It is therefore barred as a freestanding claim in post-conviction. Whether it reflects on the effectiveness of his lawyers we address below.