Opinion ID: 2207851
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Mental Retardation Findings of Fact

Text: Finally, Sullivan challenges the Superior Court judge's factual finding, announced in his sentencing decision, that Sullivan is not mildly mentally retarded. The Superior Court judge's conclusion that Sullivan is not mentally retarded is a finding of fact. This Court will not set such a finding aside if it was supported by competent evidence. See Marine v. State, Del.Supr., 624 A.2d 1181, 1188 (1993); Flamer v. State, Del.Supr., 585 A.2d 736, 754 (1990); State v. Rooks, Del. Supr., 401 A.2d 943, 949 (1979). The Superior Court judge made the following findings with regard to Sullivan's alleged mental retardation: Concerning Sullivan's alleged psychological/intellectual problems, the Court finds from the testimony that the defendant does not suffer from any mental illness. He functions within the middle of the low-average range of general intelligence. Sullivan was promoted throughout school without passing any grade except the second grade. His reading, spelling, and arithmetic abilities were shown by tests to be at the elementary school level. He is able to perform manual and mechanical skills well. He is able to distinguish between right and wrong. He knew it was wrong to kill Mr. Dodd and yet he freely formed the idea and ultimately carried out his plan to lure Mr. Dodd from his residence for the purpose of killing him by surprise with his mother's kitchen knife. Contrary to the opinion of Irwin G. Weintraub, Ph.D., the Court does not find Sullivan to be mildly mentally retarded. His full scale intelligence quotient was determined by Dr. Weintraub to be 75 which is above the DSM-III-R range of 50 to 70 for mild mental retardation. Although DSM-III-R permits a psychologist to render an opinion of mild mental retardation notwithstanding a score above the range for this category, the Court is not persuaded that Dr. Weintraub's conclusion to that effect should be accepted given the totality of the evidence which has been presented regarding the defendant's background and his abilities. The Court accepts the psychoeducational appraisals and psychological tests conducted by the Caesar Rodney School District from 1979 through 1986 which indicate that Sullivan functions within the middle of the borderline range of general intellectual development. These appraisals do not reveal mental retardation or personality disorders. Sullivan does have limited intelligence and reasoning powers which are mitigating circumstances that will be considered by the Court [emphasis added]. The record reflects that the generally accepted intelligence quotient (IQ) of a person classified as mildly mentally retarded is in the range of 50 to 70. School psychological tests administered in 1979, 1981, and 1986 did not reveal evidence of mild mental retardation. In fact, the 1986 report indicated that Sullivan's basic skill levels, although below the first percentile, represent significant underachievement relative to his age and learning ability. Sullivan's expert witness, Dr. Weintraub, who admitted that he was unaware of those tests when he prepared his report for trial, relied heavily on Sullivan's lack of basic academic skills in forming his opinion. Dr. Weintraub opined that, despite Sullivan's full-scale IQ of 75, Sullivan was mildly mentally retarded because his score was elevated to 75 only by his score of 83 for dexterity in manual and mechanical skills. The Superior Court rejected this factual conclusion. The record reflects that the Superior Court's finding that Sullivan is not mentally retarded was supported by competent evidence. A trial judge, sitting as finder of fact, may reject an expert opinion concerning the mental competence of a defendant. See, e.g., Red Dog v. State, Del.Supr., 616 A.2d 298, 309 n. 15 (1992); State v. Bailey, Del.Super., 519 A.2d 132, 138 (1986). Compare State v. Greenway, 170 Ariz. 155, 823 P.2d 22, 36 (1991). Therefore, the applicable standards of appellate review require this Court to uphold the Superior Court's finding on that issue.