Opinion ID: 1154778
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: appointment of dr. bendheim

Text: Defense counsel planned to call Dr. Otto Bendheim, a psychiatrist, to testify regarding his client's mental state at the time of the killing. The state therefore moved to have defendant examined by a mental health expert appointed pursuant to Rule 11, Ariz.R.Crim.P., 17 A.R.S. The trial court denied this motion. On special action, the court of appeals reversed. State v. Druke, 143 Ariz. 314, 693 P.2d 969 (Ct.App. 1984). The trial court thereafter ordered defendant to submit to a psychiatric examination by Dr. Michael Cleary. After the court appointed Dr. Cleary, defendant moved for the appointment of a second expert, pursuant to Rule 11.3(a), Ariz.R.Crim.P., 17 A.R.S., which states that, [i]f the court determines that reasonable grounds for an examination exist, it shall appoint at least two mental health experts ... (emphasis added). In response, the court appointed as a second expert the same Dr. Bendheim who had already examined defendant and been disclosed as a defense witness. In a motion for rehearing, defendant informed the court that Dr. Bendheim would not accept court appointments. This motion was denied. Defendant argues that the court did not follow the mandate of Rule 11 when it appointed Dr. Bendheim. We do not agree. Rule 11.3(c) states that each party may provide a list of three experts and that the court shall appoint one expert from each list. If a party does not submit a list, the court shall appoint an expert of its own choosing. Because defendant did not provide a list of experts, and thus waived his right to narrow the selection process, the court's choice of Dr. Bendheim was permissible. The fact that the doctor had already been retained by defense counsel did not disqualify him from also being appointed under Rule 11. Defendant also claims that the appointment of Dr. Bendheim violated Rule 706, Ariz.R.Evid., which prohibits the court from appointing an expert witness unless the witness consents to act. Other than counsel's representation to the trial court, there is no indication that the doctor refused to accept the court appointment. On the contrary, the record reflects that, following the trial, Dr. Bendheim re-examined defendant in preparation for the aggravation/mitigation hearing, where he again was an expert witness for the defense. He was compensated by the court for these services.