Opinion ID: 2380238
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Competence of the Defendant

Text: Toward the end of trial, the defense counsel presented to the court in chambers a forensic psychologist who said that he was seriously concerned about Mr. Ledger's intellectual limitations and possible organic brain syndrome and this man's ability to assist his attorney. He explained his hypothesis that the defendant's brain was not receiving enough oxygen, thereby rendering him unable to answer abstract questions and to provide concrete answers that you would expect from a child. After further discussion among the court, the psychologist, and counsel, the court expressed satisfaction that the defendant was competent to stand trial and that further inquiry would be unnecessary. The court made clear that its decision was based on its observations of the defendant as a witness while he had testified the previous day for nearly three hours, the defendant's courtroom behavior over the previous seven days, and the limited nature of the psychologist's evaluation. The defendant claims here that this ruling was error. The constitutional requirements of due process are satisfied where the accused is capable of understanding the nature and object of the charges and proceedings against him, of comprehending his own condition in reference thereto, and of conducting in cooperation with his counsel his defense in a rational and reasonable manner. Thursby v. State, Me., 223 A.2d 61, 66 (1966), quoted in Littlefield v. State, Me., 429 A.2d 1006, 1009 n.3 (1981). See Me. Const.Art. I, § 6; U.S.Const.Amend. VI; see also Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, 402, 80 S.Ct. 788, 4 L.Ed.2d 824, 825 (1960) (the accused must have a sufficient present ability to consult with his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding). When the court becomes aware of a genuine doubt of the defendant's competence to stand trial, it must make inquiry into the matter. Thursby, 223 A.2d at 68. The existence of a need to embark upon such an inquiry is a determination made within the sound discretion of the court. Id., at 68-69. Further, the reviewing court must determine if the record includes evidence which would support the lower court's ruling. Littlefield, 429 A.2d at 1009. We find that such evidence exists. Of primary significance is the court's opportunity to observe firsthand the behavior of the defendant during the course of his testimony and throughout the trial itself. While the transcript demonstrates that the defendant rambled in answering several of the questions posed to him, the court correctly pointed out that he responded to counsel's insistence that he answer the question. This demonstrates, not only that the defendant comprehended his own situation and was able to cooperate and communicate with counsel, but also that he understood the question itself. See United States v. Oliver, 626 F.2d 254, 258-59 (2nd Cir. 1980); cf. State v. Furrow, Me., 424 A.2d 694, 698 (1981). Further, there is no indication that the defendant was not competent under the Thursby criterion. The psychologist expressed concern that the defendant, who claimed to be a woodsman, was unable to distinguish between a salmon and a trout, [16] and that he referred to his wife in the present tense. The defense counsel also noted that the defendant could not remember whether Mother's Day, the day of the homicide, fell on a Saturday or a Sunday. The fundamental concern in a competency inquiry, however, is with the mental capacity of the accused as it relates to the criminal adjudication process.  State v. Vane, Me., 322 A.2d 58, 62 (1974) (emphasis added). We have said that a defendant may be mentally competent to stand trial although in some other respects his mind is unsound. There are many prisoners who, although competent to stand trial, nevertheless suffer from some level of mental disturbance or defect or require in some respect psychiatric treatment. Thursby, 223 A.2d at 68. These specific factual observations of the psychologist and defense counsel therefore could properly be viewed by the trial judge as being of only minimal importance. Defense counsel informed the court that she had to request a recess during the testimony of a police officer in order to explain that testimony to the defendant. In view of the fact that the defendant was then made to understand that testimony, in the context of the other factors indicating the defendant's competence, we do not find this apparently isolated difficulty in communication as sufficient to require a full hearing into the matter. Indeed, it demonstrates that the defendant was susceptible to consultations with his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding. See Dusky, 362 U.S. at 402, 80 S.Ct. at 788, 4 L.Ed.2d at 825. We conclude that, on this record, the court acted within the proper scope of its discretion by concluding that no genuine issue existed as to the defendant's competence to stand trial, thereby eliminating the need for a full hearing on the issue. [17]