Opinion ID: 1721127
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Whether counsel competently used the court-appointed mental health experts to present defense evidence.

Text: In the first part of this argument, Appellant alleges that counsel rendered ineffective assistance during the competency hearing by failing to question Dr. Ravani as to whether Appellant met the statutory definition of competence to stand trial as set forth in KRS 504.040(1). Further, Appellant alleges that counsel should have called him to testify during the competency hearing. Appellant's argument may be interpreted that, because at a later point during the trial his counsel complained he was not assisting in his defense and providing accurate information, had Appellant testified at the competency hearing he would have been found incompetent to stand trial. We note that the trial court elicited from Dr. Ravani during the competency hearing that Appellant met the statutory definition of competent. Further, this Court on direct appeal affirmed the trial court's finding of competency. Harper, supra at 670. Given that Appellant testified during the suppression hearing and trial, we fail to perceive any benefit from calling him as a witness during the competency hearing. The fact that Appellant was difficult and failed to tell the entire truth to his counsel does not equate to a finding of incompetency. On the contrary, such conduct is subject to an inference of gamesmanship. Next, Appellant alleges that counsel failed to use the neutral KCPC experts to explain to the jury how what was inside Harper's mind ... resulted in Harper's homicidal behavior. A review of the record, however, reveals that counsel not only used the KCPC experts to convey such information, but also used several other witnesses. The KCPC experts specifically related Appellant's conduct in committing the murders to his mental disorder and the problems he was experiencing. Further, several family members and friends described Appellant's mental state and resulting behavior at that time. Finally, Appellant argues that counsel failed to use the KCPC experts during the penalty phase to adequately convey mitigating factors and explain Appellant's motivation. However, counsel presented the testimony of Wagner, who reiterated that schizophrenic form disorder is of a brief duration and is characterized by emotional turmoil and confusion. Further, it is clear that counsel presented an abundance of information explaining to the jury how all of the factors culminated in the acts of killing. Again, it is clear that these allegations were sufficiently resolved by a review of the record.