Opinion ID: 1795232
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Mora's Competency

Text: The trial court conducted an extensive competency hearing on March 20, 1997, and accepted testimony from Dr. Patsy Ceros Livingston, Dr. Trudy Block Garfield, Dr. John Spencer, and Dr. Thomas Macaluso. [10] Dr. Ceros-Livingston testified that Mora suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and was not competent to stand trial. She testified that Mora had a delusional belief system which influenced how Mora viewed events. Dr. Block-Garfield also indicated that Mora was very manipulative, but she concluded that he was competent. Dr. Spencer testified that Mora met all of the competency criteria and therefore was competent to proceed to trial. [11] Dr. Spencer also indicated that Mora had the ability to appreciate humor. Dr. Macaluso indicated that while Mora satisfied many of the competency factors, Mora was not competent because he could not testify relevantly or disclose relevant facts to his attorneys. Mora argues that the trial court abused its discretion in finding him competent by relying on the testimony of Drs. Block-Garfield and Spencer. Mora points out that he has a delusional belief system such that any rational person would conclude from the record that Mora was not competent. Mora further argues that the trial court abused its discretion in finding Mora competent before the penalty phase proceeding and sentencing. [12] The State maintains that the trial court simply resolved conflicting testimony among the experts and by doing so did not abuse its discretion. As we said in Hardy v. State, 716 So.2d 761, 763-64 (Fla.1998): 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. Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, 80 S.Ct. 788, 4 L.Ed.2d 824 (1960); see also § 916.12(1), Fla. Stat. (1993); Fla. R.Crim. P. 3.211(a)(1). In situations where there is conflicting expert testimony regarding the defendant's competency, it is the trial court's responsibility to consider all the evidence relevant to competency and resolve the factual dispute. Hunter v. State, 660 So.2d 244, 247 (Fla.1995), cert. denied, 516 U.S. 1128, 116 S.Ct. 946, 133 L.Ed.2d 871 (1996); Watts v. State, 593 So.2d 198, 202 (Fla.1992). The trial court's competency decision will be upheld absent a showing of an abuse of discretion. Hunter, 660 So.2d at 247; Watts, 593 So.2d at 202. The trial court entered an extensive six-page order finding Mora competent. In its written order, the trial court examined each factor enumerated in rule 3.211(a)(2). The trial court observed that all of the experts generally agreed that Mora met three of the five factors for competency as enumerated in the rule. As to the two factors in disagreement, the trial court wrote: The Court heard conflicting evidence regarding Defendant's ability to disclose pertinent facts to counsel, and to testify relevantly. Dr. Garfield testified that during examination, Defendant had no difficulty whatsoever in relating facts relevant to his case, including his desires, needs and goals regarding his case. Additionally, Dr. Spencer testified that Defendant's discussion of various topics in chronologically correct detail showed that Defendant thus had the capability to relate the details and pertinent facts of his own case in a similarly organized fashion. Dr. Livingston, however, testified that if Defendant was delusional, his ability to relay facts relevant to his case may be hindered. Dr. Macaluso additionally testified that Defendant's refusal to accept the advice of counsel and proceed under an insanity defense was evidence that the Defendant could not relate or communicate rationally with his attorney, and was thus incompetent. State v. Mora, No. 94-008906-CF10A (Fla. 17th Cir. Ct., order at 3-4, March 25, 1997). While the experts disagreed with the ultimate conclusion concerning Mora's competency, the trial court resolved those conflicts in favor of finding Mora competent. As we find evidentiary support in the record supporting the trial court's finding, we find that the trial court's finding was not unreasonable and that the trial court did not abuse its discretion. Thus, we do not disturb the trial court's determination that Mora was competent to stand trial.