Court Opinion

ID: 9642936
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 18:13:08.663078+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:10:54.822594
License: Public Domain

MONTGOMERY, Judge
(dissenting).
So far as the majority opinion indicates the need for a further hearing to determine the mental capacity to stand trial, I respectfully disagree. I am thoroughly in accord with the principles of habeas corpus as set forth in Owen v. Commonwealth, Ky., 280 S.W.2d 524, and feel that habeas corpus affords an adequate remedy which renders RCr 11.42 unnecessary.
In the present case, Strickland appeared with counsel, withdrew his plea of not guilty, and pleaded guilty. This was done after the medical authorities having him in custody had determined that he was able to stand trial and the court had been so advised. The effect of the majority opinion is to go back now for a determination of whether Strickland was in fact mentally able to stand trial.
This case is similar to Higbee v. Thomas, Ky., 376 S.W.2d 305, also 375 U.S. 13, 84 S.Ct. 79, 11 L.Ed.2d 41, wherein the question of adequacy of counsel was involved.
I am concerned with whether the majority opinion here and in the Higbee case will require the trial court in every instance to have a hearing to determine the mental capacity of the accused to stand trial and another hearing to determine the adequacy of counsel. This would be a serious problem when trial dockets are congested and would become a more aggravating problem when there is no apparent restraint or limitation on the number of times such matters may be raised under RCr 11.42. The lack of finality in criminal cases is destroyed by the apparent ability of an accused to have his case tried and heard on appeal at least twice. No other type of litigation has such favorable treatment. I am at a loss to understand what has become of two ancient and two *705■well-founded principles of law, res adjudi-cata and the law of the case rule, in so far as applicable in criminal cases.
Maybe this dissent should be dismissed as an expression of old-fashioned thinking, but the light regard in which such ancient principles seem to be held is disturbing. The procedures apparently recognized in this case and in Higbee indicate an utter lack of understanding of the practicalities of the administration of justice in the field of criminal law.
My concern compels me to dissent.