Opinion ID: 3065109
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Nash’s Incompetence

Text: At trial, competence is defined as the ability to understand the proceedings and to assist counsel in preparing a defense. Miles v. Stainer, 108 F.3d 1109, 1112 (9th Cir. 1997). A competent defendant possesses “sufficient present ability to consult with his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding and a rational as well as factual understanding of the proceedings against him.” Rohan, 334 F.3d at 808 (quoting Cooper v. Oklahoma, 517 U.S. 348, 354 (1996)); see also Indiana v. Edwards, 128 S. Ct. 2379, 2383 (2008) (noting distinction between defendants competent to be tried and 13202 NASH v. RYAN defendants competent to defend themselves). As Rohan, Holmes and the above discussion make clear, competency to pursue federal habeas relief in a death penalty case requires that the petitioner possess essentially the same mental capacity that renders him competent to stand trial: the ability to understand and communicate rationally with counsel when necessary. See Rohan, 334 F.3d at 813; see also Holmes, 506 F.3d at 579; Mae C. Quinn, Reconceptualizing Competence: An Appeal, 66 Wash. & Lee L. Rev. 259, 301-02 (2009) (discussing Rohan and Holmes‘s approach to competence in postconviction proceedings). With these fundamental principles in mind, we turn briefly to the evidence we have deemed sufficient to warrant a competency determination in similar contexts.
At trial, the right to competence generally requires that a motion for a competency determination be granted when “reasonable cause” exists to believe that the defendant is incompetent. See 18 U.S.C. § 4241(a) (2006); see also United States v. Fernandez, 388 F.3d 1199, 1250-51 (9th Cir. 2004); United States v. Brown, 943 F.2d 35, 35 (9th Cir. 1991). Many factors, including history of mental illness and treatment, a finding of prior insanity, memory problems, erratic behavior, variety and quantity of medications, and attempts at suicide have been considered by courts determining whether a competency hearing should have been granted. See McMurtrey v. Ryan, 539 F.3d 1112, 1118 (9th Cir. 2008); Morris v. United States, 414 F.2d 258, 259 (9th Cir. 1969). For example, in Rohan, the petitioner suffered from a delusional disorder; in Holmes, the court remanded the case based on “affidavits presented by . . . counsel suggesting [petitioner’s] mental condition had deteriorated.” Holmes, 506 F.3d at 577. We are satisfied that Nash has presented sufficient evidence of incompetence to warrant a competency determination under any of the various standards we have articulated. NASH v. RYAN 13203 First, according to a psychiatric evaluation conducted by Dr. Barry Morenz, Nash—like the petitioner in Rohan— suffers from a delusional disorder which leads him to experience auditory hallucinations, as well as grandiose and paranoid delusions. Nash has also been diagnosed with personality disorder; according to Morenz, he is “not competent to proceed with his appeals” because he “is significantly impaired in his ability to rationally and meaningfully assist his attorneys . . . .” Moreover, although Dr. Morenz opined that “[t]reatment with antipsychotic and memory-enhancing medication . . . may provide some benefit to . . . Mr. Nash[,]” he further opined that “[e]ven with these interventions, there is not a substantial probability that he can be restored to competency.” Second, in addition to Dr. Morenz’s diagnoses and opinion, Nash’s habeas counsel has filed a sealed declaration outlining her own difficulties in communicating with Nash. Her observations are consistent with Dr. Morenz’s, detailing the ways in which Nash’s delusional disorder and memory problems substantially impede his ability to rationally communicate with her regarding his personal history and other potentially critical aspects of his appeal. Dr. Morenz’s diagnoses and opinion, and the declaration presented by Nash’s counsel “suggest[ ] that his mental condition ha[s] deteriorated.” See Holmes, 506 F.3d at 577 (describing circumstances that warranted limited remand for competency determination). At this preliminary stage, therefore, Nash has presented sufficient evidence of incompetence to warrant a competency determination.