Opinion ID: 782520
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Mallett's Motion to Vacate

Text: 15 In his § 2255 motion, Mallett alleges that his trial counsel was constitutionally ineffective for failing to investigate the possibility that he was incompetent to stand trial. A criminal defendant may not be tried unless he is competent. See Godinez v. Moran, 509 U.S. 389, 396, 113 S.Ct. 2680, 125 L.Ed.2d 321 (1993); Gall v. Parker, 231 F.3d 265, 284 (6th Cir.2000); see also 18 U.S.C. § 4241(d) (stating that a defendant is incompetent to stand trial if a court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant is presently suffering from a mental disease or defect rendering him mentally incompetent to the extent that he is unable to understand the nature and consequences of the proceedings against him or to assist properly in his defense ...). The test for a defendant's competency to stand trial is whether he 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 factual understanding of the proceedings against him. Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402, 402, 80 S.Ct. 788, 4 L.Ed.2d 824 (1960); United States v. Ford, 184 F.3d 566, 580 (6th Cir.1999). 16 Mallett alleges that several factors should have led his trial counsel to investigate whether he was competent to stand trial. He argues that the information in Dr. Pincus's report indicating Mallett's impaired cognitive functioning should have led trial counsel to question his competency. In addition, Mallett contends that his behavior should have put counsel on notice that his competency was an issue. Mallett specifically cites his confused request for new counsel on the eve of trial and confused statements that he made at a hearing held after this request. He also points to rambling and confused statements that he made during his first sentencing hearing. According to Mallett, Dr. Pincus's report and his behavior demonstrate his inability to grasp the nature of the events taking place around him. He alleges that his confusion and failure to understand what was happening made it unlikely that he was able to assist effectively in his own defense. 17 In requesting a psychological evaluation of Mallett, trial counsel stated that numerous conversations between himself and Mallett led him to conclude that Mallett's brain injuries might be of interest to the court. Trial counsel did not, however, investigate the possibility that Mallett was incompetent to stand trial. Nor did counsel request a competency hearing, though he could have moved for such a hearing [a]t any time after the commencement of [the] prosecution ... and prior to the sentencing of the defendant. 18 U.S.C. § 4241(a). 18 Mallett also alleges that trial counsel was ineffective in failing to investigate and raise a diminished capacity defense. The diminished capacity defense is directly concerned with whether the defendant possessed the ability to attain the culpable state of mind which defines the crime. United States v. Gonyea, 140 F.3d 649, 651 (6th Cir.1998) (quoting United States v. Twine, 853 F.2d 676, 678 (9th Cir.1988)). Evidence of diminished capacity is available to negate the mens rea of a specific intent crime such as possession with the intent to distribute. Id. at 650. 19 Mallett contends that evidence of his mental and cognitive defects would have been admissible to show that he was unable to form the specific intent required to be found guilty of possessing drugs with intent to distribute. Mallett's trial counsel never sought psychological evaluations nor filed the appropriate motions for competency evaluations. Therefore, Mallett argues, his counsel's performance was constitutionally ineffective.