Court Opinion

ID: 9844390
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 03:02:08.668644+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:15:34.094619
License: Public Domain

PETERS, J.
I dissent.
In my opinion, under all the facts, many of which are not fully or at all set forth in the majority opinion, a “doubt” as to defendant’s present sanity existed as a matter of law, and failure to declare such “doubt” constituted prejudicial error requiring a reversal. The majority opinion does not disclose that on the prior appeal in this case (People v. Merkouris, 46 Cal.2d 540 [297 P.2d 999]), the main ground of the reversal was that a “doubt” as to defendant’s then sanity existed as a matter of law, and that the evidence on that issue there involved was much weaker than the evidence on the same issue on the present appeal. Nor does the majority opinion disclose that on the lengthy hearing to ascertain whether a “doubt” as to present sanity existed, the trial judge was confused and at times expressed the thought that the issue then before him was whether defendant was or was not sane. That, of course, was not the issue. The opinion now signed by a majority of this court indicates on its face that the majority are also laboring under the same misapprehension. This is indicated by several statements appearing in that opinion. On page 10 of the typewritten opinion appears the statement: “The trial judge, upon all the evidence as to defendant’s existing sanity ...” And on the next page appears: “The foregoing demonstrates that the evidence on the subject of defendant’s sanity was highly conflicting . . .” That was not the issue before the trial court, nor the issue before this court.
Because of the failure of the majority opinion to set forth all of the pertinent facts, those facts will be set forth in some detail.
The first reversal in this ease is dated May 25, 1956. In August of 1956, the trial court, as directed by this court, declared a “doubt” of the present sanity of defendant under section 1368 of the Penal Code.1 On September 13, 1956, a *688jury decided that defendant was presently insane, and he was committed to Atascadero. On August 13, 1957, the proper officials of that hospital certified that, in their opinion, defendant was presently sane. On August 26, 1957, defense counsel requested the court to declare a “doubt” as to the present sanity of defendant. At the commencement of this hearing, the defendant, evidently laboring under the misapprehension that he had been brought from Atascadero to see a Dr. Jacobs, one of his doctors at Atascadero, demanded to see that doctor. He grew violent, and the record shows: “The defendant is removed from the courtroom.” The former attorney for defendant, Mr. Lambros, at the court’s request, made a statement in support of his motion for the court to declare a doubt as to defendant’s then sanity. Lambros stated that on three occasions he had visited defendant at Atascadero, that “on no occasion have I, in my opinion, been able to get through to him”; that in these attempted interviews defendant would confuse Lambros with Dr. Jacobs, his ward doctor, and would ask for Dr. Jacobs or for a Dr. Miller, who was deceased. The defendant made many complaints about his food and treatment, and on two occasions attempted to assault his attorney. The defendant demonstrated that he has a fixed belief that all attorneys, including his own, and all officials, are in a conspiracy to deprive him of his rights. Based on these facts, counsel for defendant moved the court to declare a “doubt” as to defendant’s present sanity. The attorney also called attention to the fact that defendant insists on going to trial at once,, and insists that he is sane. Lambros stated that his investigation disclosed that the doctors at Atascadero who had certified defendant as presently sane had never had a psychiatric conference with the defendant, but had based their certification on statements of ward doctors and inmates.
The prosecutor objected to the court declaring a doubt as to present sanity, and stated “despite the verdict of the jury declaring him presently insane, in September of last year, I have always felt that is not a matter which a jury should pass on.” He then charged that in his opinion defendant was simulating insanity and requested permission to produce evidence on the issue. A recess was then taken. After recess the defendant was brought back into the courtroom. He again stated that he had been told that he was to see Dr. Jacobs and demanded that the doctor be produced. The record then shows “The defendant evidences a display of *689violence, and is subdued by certain deputy sheriffs.” During this period the defendant became extremely profane and violent. Attorney Lambros then again moved that the court declare a “doubt” as to defendant’s present sanity, and stated that in addition to the visits already described, he had last visited defendant at Atascadero on August 10, 1957, with the father of defendant, and that he could get nothing out of defendant but swearing and castigation of all concerned on the ground that they were conspiring to deprive him of his rights. On August 23, 1957, Lambros stated that he had visited defendant at the county jail, but could get nothing out of him except a demand to see Doctors Jacobs and Miller. Defendant again swore at Lambros and accused him of conspiring against him. Lambros reported that on that occasion defendant was taken forcibly back to the tank by four deputies. On the 25th of August, Lambros again attempted to interview the defendant but the defendant did not recognize him.
Lambros also called attention to the fact that defendant is suffering from epilepsy, is subject to epileptic seizures daily, and suffers from hallucinations and lapses of memory and violence. Lambros stated that he had been unable to consult with his client and to prepare his defense, and again requested that a “doubt” as to his present sanity be declared.
The prosecutor again objected, stating that from his investigation he believed defendant was trying to stall his trial, and asked for a continuance of the hearing.
At this point Attorney Lambros asked that the record show that all during the time that he was arguing the motion the defendant “has been on his back on the floor to the right of the bench in the courtroom. He is presently restrained by handcuffs, a body restraint, leg chain. Three deputies are presently and have been holding him down.” The court directed that the record so show, and further stated that the restraint was exercised with the approval of the court.
The court then stated that it had the report from Atascadero stating that defendant was presently not insane and that the “court feels that that is more persuasive than any outward manifestation as indicated by the conduct of the defendant before the court, from which the court cannot conclude at this time that it entertains a doubt as to the present sanity.” No reference was made by the court to the testimony of Attorney Lambros. The court went on to state, however, that it would appoint two psychiatrists to examine the defendant, naming them, and that the appointment was being made *690pursuant ■ to section 1871 of the Code of Civil Procedure.2 Why this was done' if the trial judge had no doubt on the issue does not appear.
The hearing was not resumed until June 16, 1958. The public defender now represented the defendant. This attorney immediately moved that the court declare a “doubt” of present sanity under section 1368 of the Penal Code. The court then proceeded to take evidence on the issue as to whether it entertained a doubt as to the present sanity of the defendant. The defendant requested permission to make a statement. Permission being granted, defendant stated at some length that he was sane and never had been insane; that he did not commit the murders involved; that a plea of insanity implied guilt; that he wished to withdraw his plea of insanity which had been entered against his will; and that he wished to waive a jury trial. This statement was substantially similar to the one made by the defendant on his prior trial when the trial court erroneously had permitted the defendant to withdraw his plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. (People v. Merkouris, 46 Cal.2d 540, 550-552 [297 P.2d 999].) The defendant then engaged in a long tirade against his present counsel, charging him with fraud and with conniving with the prosecution. The court refused to permit the withdrawal of the insanity plea.
The court then proceeded to take evidence on the issue as to whether it had a doubt as to defendant’s present sanity. Evidence was introduced at great length, just as if the issue of present sanity was then before the court. Eight doctors and psychiatrists were called, seven of whom testified on the issue of sanity.
Evidence was introduced that defendant was suffering from epilepsy; that prior to 1954 the Veterans Bureau had granted him a 100 per cent disability for this disease, and that he was subject to frequent grand and petit mal seizures, and was taking medication for this disability.
Dr. Frederick Hacker and Dr. J. M. Neilsen, both on the court panel of psychiatrists and both experienced in their *691field, gave it as their unequivocal opinion that defendant was presently medically and legally insane, and unable to cooperate with his counsel. One other fully qualified psychiatrist, Dr. Vernon John Miller, also on the court panel of psychiatrists, and who had examined defendant many times, had testified that in 1955 defendant was medically and legally insane and incapable of cooperating with his attorney. He opined that in 1956 the defendant’s condition had deteriorated. As of June, 1958, he believed that defendant was still legally and medically insane, but in spite of that fact could cooperate with his counsel, but might break down under the stress of a trial.
Four qualified psychiatrists opined that defendant was presently sane. Several of these stated that they believed defendant was simulating insanity. One of the four admitted that defendant suffers from a progressive brain disease and that such disease is of long standing and affects defendant’s behavior, but nevertheless he believed defendant to be sane.
Another psychiatrist produced by the prosecution was not only of the opinion that defendant was presently sane and was simulating insanity, but that he was also simulating epilepsy, even though all of the medical records and other evidence on this issue were to the contrary.
Mr. Lambros, former attorney for defendant, repeated his former statement about his relations with defendant and about his inability to secure any cooperation. He pointed out that in 1956, during the jury trial resulting in a verdict that defendant was then presently insane, defendant had had a fight with the prosecutor, and, after a gag proved ineffectual to quiet him, a booth had to be placed in the courtroom and defendant forcibly placed therein and chained to an iron chair during the hearing.
The attitude of the trial court during this lengthy hearing as to how it should weigh this evidence, is indicated by certain statements made by it. After three of the doctors had testified, the defense counsel called attention to the fact that the hearing was simply to determine if there was a “doubt” in the court’s mind as to whether defendant was presently sane; that it appeared that the hearing was proceeding as if the issue were defendant’s sanity; that that issue was being tried without affording the defendant a jury trial on this issue, to which he was entitled; that in view of the testimony already produced the defense had produced sufficient evidence to show *692there was a ‘‘ doubt ’ ’ of defendant’s present sanity. He moved that the court declare that “doubt” and not compel the defense to try the issue as if sanity or insanity were the point to be then decided. The court stated: “The burden of proof is upon you to show to the Court’s satisfaction whether the defendant is presently insane,...”
Defense counsel responded that the issue was not whether defendant was presently insane, but whether there was enough evidence to create a “doubt.” The court apparently agreed with this analysis. After defense counsel again importuned the court to declare such “doubt” the court stated that “this proceeding is initiated at your suggestion. Consequently, the burden is upon you to submit whatever proof you may have so that the Court can determine whether or not it has any doubt as to the present sanity of the defendant, sufficient to require a trial upon that issue. ’ ’
After some discussion of the quantum of proof required, the court stated that it could not evaluate the evidence produced until the district attorney had produced the evidence he desired, and further evidence was produced.
After all the evidence on the issue had been presented the trial court directed the defense counsel to make an opening argument because the “burden” is “upon you.”
After argument, the court purported to review the evidence on the issue, and at the conclusion of that review stated that it had reviewed the doctors’ reports and from those reports “it seems that the evidence preponderates in favor of the present sanity within the Statute as we understand it, that is the Court cannot feel justified in entertaining a doubt as to the defendant’s present sanity within the meaning of the Statute.
“The Court feels from the information before it and from the observation of the defendant, and as one of the doctors points out, this defendant is anxious to go to trial and having his case presented, the Court does not entertain a doubt within the meaning of the Statute that the defendant is presently insane and therefore the Court finds this case is now ready for trial.”
This record demonstrates, in my opinion, that, as a matter of law, a “doubt” existed as to defendant’s present sanity. On the prior trial of this very ease this court held that on evidence much slimmer than that here involved that a ‘ ‘ doubt ’ ’ existed as a matter of law, and that failure of the trial court to declare such “doubt” constituted reversible error. (People v. Merkouris, 46 Cal.2d 540 [297 P.2d 999].) At page 552 *693this court stated: “Prior to the commencement of the trial itself, the court had before it an affidavit of a qualified psychiatrist in which it was averred, without any equivocation, that the defendant was medically and legally insane at the time of trial, as well as at the time the alleged act was committed.” After quoting section 1368 of the Penal Code, and after referring to certain comments of the trial court, this court continued as follows (p. 553): “It appears as a matter of law that there was, at that time, a doubt in the mind of the court as to defendant’s sanity. (People v. Ah Ying, 42 Cal. 18, 21.) We said in People v. Aparicio, 38 Cal.2d 565, 568 [241 P.2d 221], that ‘when a doubt of the defendant’s sanity ... appears on the face of the record as a matter of law, an abuse of discretion is shown and the failure to order a determination of the question of sanity results in a miscarriage of justice and a reversal is required. (People v. Vester, 135 Cal.App. 223 [26 P.2d 685]; People v. West, supra, 25 Cal.App. 369 [143 P. 793].)’
“Taking the evidence concerning defendant’s sanity as reflected in the record, we see that three court-appointed psychiatrists considered him sane at the time of trial as well as sane at the time the crime was committed; we see that one independent psychiatrist considered him both legally and medically insane at both times. This conflict in the medical evidence was sufficient to make the question one of fact which should have been tried____
“It is our conclusion that the trial court abused its discretion in not trying the issue of defendant’s sanity at the commencement of the trial and in permitting the defendant, over the implied objection of his counsel, to withdraw his plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. ’ ’
If a “doubt” existed as a matter of law because of the facts and circumstances as they existed in February of 1955 prior to the first trial, certainly a “doubt” existed as a matter of law in August of 1957 and June of 1958. The following factors, considered collectively, demonstrate this to a certainty :
1. The fact that defendant was an epileptic subject to almost daily seizures;
2. The fact that a jury had determined that defendant was insane in September of 1956;
3. The conduct of defendant in court during these proceedings, and the fact that he had to be forcibly restrained;
4. The testimony of Attorney Lambros that he had been *694unable to communicate with his client or to secure his cooperation in preparing the defense;
5. The testimony of three qualified psychiatrists that, in their opinion, defendant was then legally and medically insane, two being of the opinion that such insanity prevented the defendant from cooperating with his counsel;
6. The fact that this court, on much slimmer evidence than has here been produced, has ruled, on the prior appeal, that such evidence created a doubt as a matter of law.
In prior cases it has been held that the presence of several of these factors was sufficient to create a “doubt” as a matter of law. (People v. Jackson, 105 Cal.App.2d 811 [234 P.2d 261]; People v. Vester, 135 Cal.App. 223 [26 P.2d 685]; People v. West, 25 Cal.App. 369 [143 P. 793] ; and of course People v. Merkouris, 46 Cal.2d 540 [297 P.2d 999].) In none of these eases were all of the factors here involved present.
It is true that four qualified psychiatrists opined that defendant was presently sane. But this testimony merely created a conflict on the issue of present sanity. Had the issue before the court been whether defendant was or was not presently sane, the testimony of these four psychiatrists would have supported a finding that defendant was then sane. But defendant was entitled, upon demand, to a jury trial on that issue. (Pen. Code, § 1368.) The issue of present sanity was not then before the court. The only issue then involved was whether a “doubt” existed as to present sanity. Reasonable minds cannot differ on the answer to that question. Under all of the facts then existing such “doubt” existed as a matter of law.
The error of the trial court was further aggravated by the vacillating standards adopted by it in passing on the motion. After defense counsel had produced evidence aimed at creating a “doubt” in the court’s mind, the court stated: “The burden of proof is upon you to show to the Court’s satisfaction whether the defendant is presently insane. ’ ’ That, of course, was a misstatement of the issue then before the court. That issue was not present insanity at all. The issue was whether there existed a “doubt” as to present sanity.
After this error was called to the attention of the trial court, and after the court properly stated that the burden was on defendant to raise a doubt in its mind, the court expressed the thought that there could not exist a legal doubt if the evidence preponderated in favor of sanity. This confusion persisted until the very close of the hearing. After argument by counsel, the court, in making its ruling, stated:
*695“. . . from the doctors’ reports, it seems that the evidence preponderates in favor of the present sanity within the Statute as we understand it, that is the Court cannot feel justified in entertaining a doubt as to the defendant’s present sanity within the meaning of the Statute. ’ ’
This was error of a most serious nature. Certainly section 1368 does not require that before a “doubt” exists the evidence must “preponderate” in favor of present insanity.
For these reasons, in my opinion, the trial court committed error in failing to declare a doubt as to defendant’s present sanity. That this error was prejudicial is obvious. Under section 1368 of the Penal Code the defendant was entitled, upon demand, to a jury trial on this issue. He was deprived of this fundamental right. This constitutes reversible error.
This error, alone, requires a reversal. In addition, on the trial on the merits, serious and prejudicial errors occurred. It is true, as stated in the majority opinion, that the evidence on the merits is sufficient to sustain the judgments. But that evidence was not overwhelming. It was entirely circumstantial. Defendant’s defense was an alibi which he supported by substantial evidence. The evidence, as summarized in the opinion on the prior appeal, disclosed that the case on its merits was a very close one. That being so, any substantial error may well have tipped the balance, and must be considered to have been prejudicial.
The trial court, in my opinion, made several serious and prejudicial rulings on the admission of evidence.
In the first place, over proper objection, the trial court erred in admitting hearsay statements that defendant, some four to six years before the killings, had threatened the decedents. Those statements were testified to by Mrs. Dulce Fairly, mother of one of the decedents, by C. F. Fairly and by Clifford Bonk, a police officer and former neighbor of one of decedents. Mr. and Mrs. Fairly testified that in August of 1948 (the killings occurred on September 20, 1954) the decedents came to them and stated, in substance, that they wanted to come and live with them for a while because their lives had been threatened by Mr. Merkouris. Bonk was permitted to testify, over objection, that in 1949 or 1950 he, the witness, saw Robert Forbes, one of the decedents, at the City Hall; that Forbes told the witness that he was going to get a gun permit because his wife’s ex-husband, the defendant, was bothering them; that Forbes stated to the witness that he thought the situation was desperate enough to warrant carrying a gun; that he, Forbes, was afraid of the “guy.”
*696The objections to this evidence were that it was too remote, was immaterial, and was hearsay. The court, while properly ruling that the evidence was not to be received to prove the truth of the statements, ruled that they were admissible to show the declaration of an intention on the part of the deceased to do an act in the future, that is, to come and live with the Fairlys, and to show the state of mind of the deceased at the time of the statements.
Of course, in some cases, evidence of the declarant’s statement of intention is material, relevant and admissible. In People v. Alcalde, 24 Cal.2d 177 [148 P.2d 627], it was material that the deceased intended to go out with the defendant the night of the murder. In People v. Weatherford, 27 Cal.2d 401 [164 P.2d 753], it was material that the deceased intended to leave the defendant’s premises close to the time of the killing. But in the instant case it was not material that six years before the killings decedents intended to move in with the Fairlys, or that four years before the killings one of decedents sought a gun permit. Nor was the state of mind of the deceased declarant at those times material to any issue before the court. The only possible materiality of the evidence was to show that six and four years before the killings the decedents were threatened by defendant. While threats made by defendant are, of course, material, they must be testified to by the person who heard them, not by someone who was told by someone else that they had been made. While the trial court correctly instructed that the evidence was not introduced to prove the truth of the statements, such instruction was obviously ineffectual. If the state of mind of the decedent was admissible, it was only so because from that state of mind, that is fear of defendant, it could be inferred that the statements about threats were true. If this were not the purpose and effect of the evidence, why was it introduced? The fact that defendant threatened to kill decedents some years before the killings would be material and relevant if testified to by one who had heard the threats, but when it is offered not to prove the threats but the state of mind of decedent, its only materiality would be to connect the defendant with the crime. The state of mind of the deceased is immaterial except to show that defendant threatened to kill him. Thus, the limitation placed on the evidence by the trial court was obviously ineffectual. The improper admission of this testimony on such a vital issue, in a circumstantial evidence case, was prejudicial.
*697The trial court also, in my opinion, committed error, and prejudicial error, in permitting, over objection, Postal Inspector Wood to testify that, included in a prior indictment against defendant (which indictment was introduced into evidence), there was included not only a charge of sending obscene letters through the mails, but also the charge of sending threats through the mails. This was not a subject of expert testimony. The issue as to whether or not defendant had made prior threats against decedents was a vital one. The indictment speaks for itself. It contains no language about threats. It relates only to obscenity. The evidence should not have been admitted. The error, apparently conceded in the majority opinion, was obviously prejudicial.
The last error necessary to mention occurred during the penalty hearing. At that hearing, by stipulation, it was conceded that on September 13, 1956, a jury had found defendant to be then insane. It was further stipulated that on August 13, 1957, the hospital staff at Atascadero certified defendant to be, in their opinion, then sane. Then at the penalty hearing, the prosecution called Doctors Oraban and McNeil. Over the vigorous objections of the defense that such was res judicata, the doctors were permitted to testify that in August and September of 1956 , defendant, in their opinion, was not insane, but was malingering insanity and had misled the jury. This issue had been decided by a jury verdict. The judgment on that verdict was final. The prosecution had no legal right to attack that final judgment. That judgment determined that in September of 1956 defendant was insane. The eases cited in the majority opinion on this point merely hold that such a determination is not conclusive as to mental condition at some future date. It is correct to state that insanity once proven, does not conclusively prove the person is insane at a later date—the judgment of insanity merely creates a rebuttable presumption that the insanity continues. But that does not mean that a witness may attack a final judgment and testify that such judgment was erroneous. The prejudicial nature of this testimony is obvious.
For the foregoing reasons I would reverse the judgment and the order denying the motion for a new trial.
Gibson, C. J., and Traynor, J., concurred.
Appellant’s petition for a rehearing was denied October 15, 1959. Gibson, C. J., Traynor, J., and Peters, J., were of the opinion that the petition should be granted.

Section 1368 provides, in part: “If at any time during the pendency of an action and prior to judgment a doubt arises as to the sanity of the defendant, the court must order the question as to Ms sanity to be determined by a trial by the court without a jury, or with a jury, if a trial by jury is demanded . . .”

Section 1871 of the Code of Civil Procedure provides, in part, that “Whenever it shall be made to appear to any court or judge thereof, either before or during the trial of any action or proceeding, civil, criminal . . . that expert evidence is, or will be required by the court . . . such court or judge may, on motion of any party, or on motion o£ such court or judge, appoint one or more experts to investigate and testify at the trial of. such action or proceeding relative to the matter or matters as to which such expert evidence is, or will be required . .