Opinion ID: 1663103
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: competency to plead

Text: Section 12.1-04-06, N.D.C.C., provides, in pertinent part: Whenever ... there is reason to doubt his [the defendant's] fitness to proceed, or reason to believe that mental disease or defect will otherwise become an issue in the case, the court may order the defendant to undergo an examination    The question herein addressed is whether such reason to doubt existed so as to require further inquiry than that afforded by the district court. Such an inquiry is a requirement of the constitutional due process standard enunciated by the United States Supreme Court in Pate v. Robinson, 383 U.S. 375, 385-386, 86 S.Ct. 836, 15 L.Ed.2d 815 (1966), mandating that, once evidence creating a reasonable doubt as to a defendant's competency is raised, a competency hearing is required. Drope v. Missouri, 420 U.S. 162, 95 S.Ct. 896, 43 L.Ed.2d 103 (1975); Rand v. Swenson, 501 F.2d 394 (8th Cir. 1974); Moore v. United States, 464 F.2d 663 (9th Cir. 1972); and State v. Fischer, 231 N.W.2d 147 (N.D.1975). The only suggestion contained on the record in the district court that Storbakken might not be competent to plead came at the sentencing hearing on November 3, 1975, twenty-five days after the plea was entered. [1] While making his oral plea for leniency at such hearing, Storbakken's attorney made oral reference to an injury Storbakken had received when he was twelve years old, which accident, Storbakken's father indicated, may have caused some brain damage. No evidence was submitted in support of this contention other than reference to Storbakken's inability to use alcohol or drugs, as well as to his past criminal behavior. [2] In evaluating these oblique allegations of incompetence, the district court had before it a presentence investigation report from the district parole officer, with attached reports from the North Dakota State Hospital and a state parole agent for Minnesota. The court also relied upon Storbakken's courtroom demeanor and answers to questions directed to him by the court which revealed, among other facts: that Storbakken had completed the eleventh grade of high school; that he was employed as a sheetrock hanger; that he was married; that he was on parole for a burglary conviction in Minnesota; and that it was Storbakken's understanding that the State was to make no recommendation as to sentencing for conviction on this charge. Due process does not mandate a full-blown hearing every time there is the slightest evidence of incompetency. See Curry v. Estelle, 531 F.2d 766 (5th Cir. 1976); and United States ex rel. Roth v. Zelker, 455 F.2d 1105 (2nd Cir. 1972). Based on the record before the court, we conclude that there is no reason to doubt the competency of Mr. Storbakken such as to require further inquiry than that afforded by the district court.