Opinion ID: 853338
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Postconviction Court Bias

Text: Finally, Timberlake claims that he was deprived of his due process right to a fair and disinterested tribunal because of bias on the part of Judge Nation. The law presumes that a judge is unbiased and unprejudiced. In re Edwards, 694 N.E.2d 701, 711 (Ind.1998); Smith v. State, 535 N.E.2d 1155, 1157 (Ind. 1989). Our Judicial Code provides that when a judge's impartiality might be reasonably questioned because of personal bias against a defendant or counsel, a judge is to recuse himself. Ind. Judicial Conduct Canon 3(E)(1)(a); accord Edwards, 694 N.E.2d at 710. The test for determining whether a judge should recuse himself or herself under Judicial Canon 3(E)(1) is whether an objective person, knowledgeable of all the circumstances, would have a reasonable basis for doubting the judge's impartiality. Edwards, 694 N.E.2d at 711. Timberlake has not satisfied this test.
Timberlake argues that Judge Nation engaged in an ex parte communication with Dr. Masbaum, an expert witness, in violation of Judicial Canon 3(B)(8). Generally, the Code of Judicial Conduct prohibits a judge from engaging in ex parte conversations that relate to pending proceedings. Jud. Canon 3(B)(8); accord Bell v. State, 655 N.E.2d 129, 131 (Ind.Ct. App.1995). An exception to this general rule is found under Judicial Canon 3(B)(8)(a), which permits ex parte communications for scheduling, administrative purposes, or emergencies that do not deal with substantive matters of a pending case. Under this exception, the judge must: (1) reasonably believe that no party will gain a procedural or tactical advantage and (2) promptly notify all other parties of the substance of the ex parte communication and allow an opportunity to respond. James v. State, 716 N.E.2d 935, 940-41 (Ind.1999). On September 28, 1998, Masbaum conducted an initial examination of Timberlake. On August 30 and September 2, 1999, Timberlake filed objections to the participation of Masbaum. Judge Nation contacted Masbaum and informed him of the objections against him [9] and provided Masbaum with a copy of these proceedings. These objections were discussed in a hearing on September 2, and were overruled. In an order on that hearing, Judge Nation stated: The Petitioner's request to exclude Dr. Masbaum as a Court appointed psychiatrist is hereby denied on the grounds that there has been insufficient evidence presented to this Court to show any impropriety which may exclude Dr. Masbaum from such examination. The Court advised the parties that Court staff will contact Dr. Masbaum to determine whether he would wish to serve in such capacity and the parties should be advised that Dr. Masbaum has agreed to continue as the Court appointed psychiatrist. During Masbaum's second interview with Timberlake he determined that Timberlake was competent. Timberlake claims that the trial judge's ex parte communications with Masbaum prejudiced him because they led to a different diagnosis. Judge Nation's communication with Masbaum falls under the ministerial exception to the bar on ex parte communications. Under the James test, Judge Nation reasonably believed that neither side gained a tactical advantage and notified both parties of the communications. Therefore, this communication does not present a reasonable basis for doubting Judge Nation's impartiality.
Timberlake also alleges that Judge Nation was biased and damaged the attorney-client relationship between Timberlake and his counsel. As examples of how Judge Nation damaged the attorney-client relationship, Timberlake points to the trial judge's handling of the competency issue, comments to Timberlake, and allowing evidence of the machine to be admitted and discussed. As a preliminary matter, we note that Timberlake cites no authority for this proposition. Turning to the first allegation, Timberlake contends that Judge Nation undermined Timberlake's confidence in his attorneys by requiring them to raise the competency issue. It appears that Judge Nation handled the issue as he did because he believed it was the correct legal procedure. Client disagreements with counsel often arise as a result of court rulings. We see no basis for a claim that the judge attempted to interfere with Timberlake's attorney-client relationship. Judge Nation's handling of Timberlake, including comments about Timberlake's understanding of events and investigation of the machine, also do not support his claim of bias. Judge Nation appears to have done his best to deal with a difficult defendant and to ensure that his rights were being protected. None of the claimed actions by Judge Nation are responsible for a breakdown in the attorney-client relationship or constitute proof of bias. In fact, when ruling on Timberlake's counsel's motion to withdraw, the trial judge praised postconviction counsel: I know that he is a difficult client, in that, he has a strong opinion as to what he feels needs to be in the record or what witnesses need to be called. It's obvious that you disagree with him concerning some of these directions. But from the standpoint of the Court, I think you're veryboth of you are very good counsel. Timberlake has not established that there was a reasonable basis for challenging Judge Nation's impartiality.
Finally, Timberlake claims that Judge Nation was biased when he refused to order any medication for Timberlake. Timberlake's counsel filed a motion requesting that he be treated. Judge Nation denied this request. Timberlake claims that this denial illustrates the judge's bias against Timberlake in light of the medical evidence that Timberlake was psychotic. As a preliminary matter, we again note that Timberlake cites no authority for this proposition. Judge Nation held a lengthy hearing on the issue of Timberlake's competency and then determined that Timberlake was competent to proceed without medical treatment. Timberlake himself stated several times that he wanted no medication. Because we cannot say that this finding is clearly erroneous, see Part I, Judge Nation's decision to deny medication does not appear to reasonably question his impartiality.