Opinion ID: 2029955
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Claim of Insanity :

Text: As previously mentioned, the petitioner was psychologically examined to determine his competency to stand trial, and the examining psychiatrists reported to the court that he was competent. Although there was some evidence at the post conviction hearing supportive of the defendant's contention that he was not competent to stand trial, in the face of all of the circumstances and evidence in the case and particularly the report of the examining psychiatrists, we cannot say that the supportive evidence was without conflict and led unerringly to a result not reached by the trial judge. Byassee v. State, (1968) 251 Ind. 114, 239 N.E.2d 586; Weaver v. State, (1962) 243 Ind. 560, 187 N.E.2d 485; Bowens v. State, (1952) 231 Ind. 559, 109 N.E.2d 91. In view of the petitioner's competence to stand trial and the competence of his trial counsel, we hold that there was a valid waiver of the defense of insanity. We said in Evans v. State, (1973) 261 Ind. 148 at 158, 300 N.E.2d 882, 887, In that case there is no reason why such a defendant cannot be held to be capable of waiving defenses on the same basis as any other competent defendant, and should be held to the usual standards in regard to possible waivers. There is no legal reason why, in the case of a competent defendant, the defense of insanity should be viewed as a non-waivable defense. We find no error, and the judgment of the trial court is affirmed. GIVAN, C.J., and ARTERBURN, DeBRULER and HUNTER, JJ., concur.