Opinion ID: 2594969
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: Bridges' Failure to Present Evidence of Personality Disorder

Text: Bridges claims that the penalty determination was tainted because the jury did not hear evidence that he had narcissistic personality disorder. Further, Bridges asserts that the disorder itself precluded him from making a rational decision not to introduce this evidence. Three experts evaluated Bridges. All three found evidence of a narcissistic personality, although they all found him to be competent. [11] Bridges argues that the personality disorder was a mitigating factor, and that it was important that the jury be presented with all mitigating evidence. Bridges attempts to analogize his failure to present the potentially mitigating evidence to the situation where trial counsel does not present mitigating evidence because he or she is unaware of the evidence. In this regard, Bridges relies on Kirksey v. State, 112 Nev. 980, 923 P.2d 1102 (1996). In Kirksey, this court commented that failure to adequately investigate the availability of mitigating evidence or to advise the defendant regarding its significance might undermine the defendant's decision not to present mitigating evidence and thereby support a claim of ineffective assistance. Id. at 996, 923 P.2d at 1112. Bridges' attempt to analogize the instant matter to a case involving counsel is unpersuasive. Because Bridges represented himself, he cannot complain that his own representation constituted ineffective counsel. See Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 835 n. 46, 95 S.Ct. 2525, 45 L.Ed.2d 562 (1975). Nor has Bridges presented any persuasive argument that he should not have been permitted to represent himself. As noted above, three experts determined that Bridges was competent. Moreover, the trial court carefully canvassed Bridges pursuant to Faretta and admonished him concerning the dangers of self-representation. Accordingly, we are not persuaded that Bridges' decision to represent himself and to waive his right to counsel was anything but a constitutionally valid, knowing, voluntary, and intelligent decision. See id. at 835-36, 95 S.Ct. 2525. Further, the State persuasively argues that to find error here would undermine Faretta because it would suggest that a defendant with narcissistic personality disorder who is otherwise competent and capable of representing himself or herself could not do so in all circumstances. At oral argument, Bridges' counsel conceded that they were unable to cite to any case law recognizing an exception to Faretta under the circumstances presented here. We decline Bridges' invitation to carve out an exception to Faretta. We reaffirm our own prior decision that a criminal defendant is entitled to represent himself in whatever manner he wishes, whether that be by introducing mitigating evidence, by not introducing mitigating evidence or even by actively seeking the death penalty. Colwell v. State, 112 Nev. 807, 811, 919 P.2d 403, 406 (1996).