Opinion ID: 2567349
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Election of method of execution

Text: Defendant asks that, if this court affirms his sentence, counsel with expertise in matters pertaining to execution be appointed to advise him on the issue of the method of his execution. He reasons that the election between lethal gas and lethal injection, under section 3604, is a critical stage of the proceedings during which he is constitutionally entitled to representation. (See Mempa v. Rhay, supra, 389 U.S. at pp. 134-137, 88 S.Ct. 254 [holding the right to counsel applies at the time of imposition of sentence following revocation of probation or deferred sentencing].) Assuming defendant is correct that he is entitled to the advice of counsel before making the section 3604 election, we conclude that to appoint counsel at this juncture, well before the setting of any execution date, would be premature. Defendant further contends that any valid election of a method of execution under section 3604 presupposes that the prisoner is competent to make such an election. (See Ford v. Wainwright (1986) 477 U.S. 399, 410, 106 S.Ct. 2595, 91 L.Ed.2d 335 [barring execution of the insane].) Accordingly, he asks for a determination of his competency for that purpose. Like the appointment of counsel to advise defendant on the section 3604 election, a determination of his competency for this purpose at this time would be premature.