Opinion ID: 1880670
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: issue 6. competency evaluation

Text: Boyd next argues that the trial court erred in its failure to consider reports and take testimony from doctors who found Boyd incompetent. In October 2000, prior to trial, defense counsel requested a competency hearing because Boyd indicated he wished to waive penalty phase proceedings if the jury found him guilty. Three psychiatrists examined Boyd. Dr. Shapiro, retained by the defense, found that Boyd was not competent to waive penalty proceedings, for although he was aware of the charges against him and of their seriousness, he was delusional as he believed that God had spoken to him and told him that the jury would find him not guilty. Dr. Haber, appointed by the trial court, found Boyd competent, because he understood the charges against him, the possible penalties, and the adversary system and could assist his attorney in the case. Dr. Block-Garfield, also appointed by the trial court, found Boyd incompetent to stand trial, because he was not willing to entertain the possibility of being found guilty and appeared to be giving lip service to the doctor's questions so that she would find him competent. At the hearing on March 26, 2001, Boyd called only Dr. Haber, who testified, consistent with his report, that Boyd was competent. The trial judge noted that he also had Dr. Block-Garfield's report, that he had read it, though it was not in evidence, and that it troubled him because it conflicted with Dr. Haber's testimony. Defense counsel responded that it was not by whim or speculation that Boyd had elected not to present the other two doctors. He remarked that there had been cultural differences between Boyd and Dr. Shapiro, such that Dr. Shapiro's report was not reliable. Nor was Dr. Block-Garfield's report reliable, as she had used Shapiro's report in her conclusions. Defense counsel and the defendant wanted a finding of competency, so they did not present testimony from these doctors or enter their reports into evidence. Based on the evidence presented, the trial court concluded that Boyd was competent. In determining whether a defendant is competent to stand trial, the trial court must decide whether the defendant `has sufficient present ability to consult with his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding  and whether he has a rational as well as a factual understanding of the proceedings against him.' Hardy v. State, 716 So.2d 761, 763 (Fla.1998) (quoting Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, 402, 80 S.Ct. 788, 4 L.Ed.2d 824 (1960)). Trial courts are to order competency hearings whenever it appears necessary based on the defendant's history or behavior in court. Gibson v. State, 474 So.2d 1183, 1184 (Fla. 1985). The trial court's function in making this determination is to resolve factual disputes arising from different expert opinions. The competency determination must be based on all relative evidence, and the decision will stand absent an abuse of discretion. Carter v. State, 576 So.2d 1291, 1292 (Fla.1989). When the evidence supports the decision, we have held that the trial court did not abuse its discretion. Mora v. State, 814 So.2d 322, 328 (Fla. 2002). While Boyd recognizes that the trial court did conduct a competency hearing, he contends that this hearing did not satisfy constitutional requirements because the judge did not consider the reports of Drs. Shapiro and Block-Garfield. However, Boyd's claim is barred, since at trial he asked that the trial court not call these witnesses or consider their reports. Boyd argues that the trial court had the responsibility to call the witnesses when his defense counsel did not. Either the court or a party may call the experts preparing the reports as witnesses. Fla. R.Crim. P. 3.212(a). However, the only impetus placed on a trial judge is to conduct a hearing when events indicate that the defendant is incompetent or upon a motion to do so, and to consider all of the evidence presented. Carter, 576 So.2d at 1292. When the defendant refuses to present evidence, he cannot later argue that the trial court erred in not considering the evidence. The trial court, the State, and defense counsel all agreed that Boyd understood the proceedings against him and had reason to believe that he would not be found guilty, thus having no need for a penalty phase, because he had previously been acquitted of similar charges in other cases. [5] Thus, there was evidence in the record supporting the finding that Boyd was competent. See Mora, 814 So.2d at 328.