Opinion ID: 2584374
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: issue 1: foster's competency during trial

Text: Foster argues that despite having ordered him to Larned State Hospital for a competency evaluation, holding a competency hearing, and finding he was competent to stand trial, the district court should have revisited his competency to stand trial sua sponte under K.S.A. 22-3302 because of his subsequent behavior. Specifically, Foster cites two instances of confusion at trial that he contends should have signaled his competency was again an issue, requiring the court to suspend the trial to make a new competency determination. We must decide first whether to consider this issue because Foster did not object or otherwise raise a question about his competency during trial. Issues not raised before the district court generally cannot be raised on appeal. Exceptions may be granted if: (1) the newly asserted theory involves only a question of law arising on proved or admitted facts and is finally determinative of the case; (2) consideration of the theory is necessary to serve the ends of justice or to prevent denial of fundamental rights; or (3) the district court's judgment may be upheld on appeal despite its reliance on the wrong ground. State v. Shopteese, 283 Kan. 331, 339, 153 P.3d 1208 (2007); State v. Anthony, 282 Kan. 201, 206, 145 P.3d 1 (2006). Foster's challenge raises due process concerns and questions the district court's compliance with a statutory obligation. We believe this warrants review. See Shopteese, 283 Kan. at 339, 153 P.3d 1208 (though not raised below, the competency issue merited addressing because a court's acceptance of a plea by an incompetent defendant implicates due process); State v. Harkness, 252 Kan. 510, 514-17, 847 P.2d 1191 (1993) (defendant argued for first time on appeal that judge should have halted proceedings for another competency evaluation, and this court decided the issue); K.S.A. 22-3302(1) (If ... upon the judge's own knowledge and observation, the judge before whom the case is pending finds that there is reason to believe that the defendant is incompetent to stand trial the proceedings shall be suspended and a hearing conducted to determine the competency of the defendant.).