Opinion ID: 16308
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Denial of Court-Appointed Psychiatrist

Text: 23 Dunn's final claim is that his right to a fair trial was violated because the court refused to appoint a psychiatrist to assist in preparing his case. Due process requires that the State assure the defendant access to a competent psychiatrist who will conduct an appropriate examination and assist in evaluation, preparation, and presentation of the defense if the defendant makes a preliminary showing that his sanity at the time of the offense is likely to be a significant factor at trial. 19 Prior to Dunn's first trial the trial court appointed Dr. Covert to evaluate Dunn to determine whether he was sane at the time of the offense. Dr. Covert concluded that Dunn was criminally responsible at the time of the robbery at the Alameda Bank during which he killed a young woman. Further, Dunn withdrew his notice of intent to claim insanity prior to his second trial. The state habeas court found that Dunn had failed to make a preliminary showing that his sanity would be a significant factor at his second trial. The trial court was not constitutionally required to appoint another psychiatrist to assist Dunn. 24 The judgment appealed is AFFIRMED.