Opinion ID: 1697961
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Adequacy of Mental Health Evaluation

Text: Nixon next claims he was denied a competent mental health evaluation in violation of the principles enunciated in Ake v. Oklahoma, 470 U.S. 68, 105 S.Ct. 1087, 84 L.Ed.2d 53 (1985). Pursuant to Ake, a defendant is entitled to have access to a competent mental health expert who will conduct an examination of the defendant and assist in evaluating, preparing, and presenting a mental health defense. The defendant in this case had the assistance of two mental health experts. Both Dr. Merton L. Ekwall and Dr. Allen L. Doerman performed extensive evaluations of Nixon that included neuropsychological testing, interviews, and reviews of pertinent documents and records. These documents and records included records of childhood discipline, records from correctional institutions, psychiatric reports, psychological reports, and records from group treatment homes. The fact that Nixon has now found mental health experts who have different opinions and who say he is mentally retarded does not demonstrate that the initial experts' evaluations were insufficient. See Rose v. State, 617 So.2d 291, 295 (Fla.1993). We affirm the trial court's denial of relief on Nixon's claim that he had an incompetent mental health evaluation.