Opinion ID: 1779012
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: right to due process

Text: Addison finally contends that his due process right to a fair trial was denied in that his trial proceeded despite there being a bona fide question as to his mental fitness. We hold to the contrary. In January of 1987, the appellant pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect to the charges against him. Pursuant to an order of commitment and evaluation, he was admitted to the Arkansas State Hospital. After a thirty-day observation and evaluation, the hospital reported that Addison appeared to be aware of the nature of the charges brought against him, that he was capable of cooperating with his attorney, and, at the time of the commission of the alleged offense, he did not lack the capacity to appreciate the criminality of his conduct or conform his conduct to the requirements of law. The report also stated that Addison had an adjustment disorder with depressed moods and mixed personality traits. Following this report, Addison was tried on June 17 and July 1, 1987, in separate trials on separate counts. However, prior to a third trial, Addison's attorney indicated that since the July 1st trial, Addison had been experiencing drastic behavior changes. He was noncommunicative, unable to sleep, and having auditory hallucinations. Based upon this new information, Addison's attorney, prior to trial, asked for a continuance so that Addison could be reexamined at the Arkansas State Hospital. The trial judge decided he would proceed with the trial and that an evaluation should be made by Dr. Alfred Rosendale, an independent psychiatrist, over the noon hour to determine if Addison needed further evaluation. If so, the judge stated that he would grant a mistrial. Addison's counsel agreed to this procedure. Dr. Rosendale examined Addison for about an hour and fifteen minutes during recess. Based upon this examination, Dr. Rosendale concluded that Addison was beginning to have auditory hallucinations and was becoming psychotic. However, when asked by the trial judge if Addison was aware of the nature of the charges and proceedings against him and capable of cooperating in his defense, the doctor replied in the affirmative. On cross-examination, the doctor testified that Addison did not meet the definition of insanity under Arkansas law. On the basis of this testimony, the trial judge elected to proceed. Ark.Code Ann. § 5-2-302 (1987), formerly Ark.Stat.Ann. § 41-603 (Repl.1977), provides that [n]o person who, as a result of mental disease or defect, lacks capacity to understand the proceedings against him or to assist effectively in his own defense shall be tried, convicted, or sentenced for the commission of an offense so long as such incapacity endures. The conviction of an accused while he is legally incompetent to stand trial violates due process. Pate v. Robinson, 383 U.S. 375, 86 S.Ct. 836, 15 L.Ed.2d 815 (1966); Jacobs v. State, 294 Ark. 551, 744 S.W.2d 728 (1988). In order to be competent to stand trial, a defendant must have the capacity to understand the nature and object of the proceedings brought against him, to consult with counsel, and to assist in the preparation of his defense. Drope v. Missouri, 420 U.S. 162, 95 S.Ct. 896, 43 L.Ed.2d 103 (1975); Jacobs, supra . Ark.Code Ann. § 5-2-305(a)(2) (1987), formerly Ark.Stat.Ann. § 41-605(1)(b) (Repl.1977), provides in pertinent part that whenever a defendant charged in circuit court files notice that he intends to rely upon the defense of mental disease or defect, or there is reason to believe that mental disease or defect will or has become an issue, or there is reason to doubt his fitness to proceed, the trial court, subject to the provisions of §§ 5-2-304 and 5-2-311, shall immediately suspend all further proceedings in the prosecution. Upon suspension of proceedings, the court shall enter an order appointing at least one qualified psychiatrist to make an examination and report on the mental condition of the defendant. Ark.Code Ann. § 5-2-305(b)(2). This report must include (1) a description of the nature of the examination, (2) a diagnosis of the mental condition of the defendant, (3) an opinion as to his capacity to understand the proceedings against him and to assist effectively in his own defense, and (4) an opinion as to the extent, if any, to which the capacity of the defendant to appreciate the criminality of his conduct or to conform his conduct to the requirements of law was impaired at the time of the conduct alleged. Ark.Code Ann. § 5-2-305(d). If neither party contests the finding in the report, the court may make the determination of the fitness to proceed. Ark.Code Ann. § 5-2-309 (1987). If the finding is contested, the court shall hold a hearing on the issue. Id. On appeal, we affirm where there is substantial evidence to support the trial court's findings concerning a defendant's fitness to proceed. Smith v. State, 282 Ark. 535, 669 S.W.2d 201 (1984). Substantial evidence is evidence of sufficient force and character to compel a conclusion of reasonable and material certainty. Id. Since there was reason to doubt Addison's fitness to proceed, the trial judge requested that a qualified psychiatrist examine Addison during recess. As noted above, Addison's counsel consented to this procedure. After an hour and a half examination, Dr. Rosendale gave the court an examination report on the mental condition of the appellant as required by § 5-2-305. Since neither party contested the finding of his report, it was for the trial court to determine Addison's fitness to proceed. § 5-2-309. Based upon the report, the trial judge decided that he was fit for trial. We conclude that the judge was in substantial compliance with our code provisions and that there is substantial evidence to support his findings. Pursuant to Ark.Sup.Ct.R. 11(f), we have made our own examination of all other objections made at trial and find no reversible error. AFFIRMED. SAMUEL PERRONI, Special Justice, and HICKMAN and HAYS, JJ., concur. GLAZE, J., not participating.