Court Opinion

ID: 9847261
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 03:56:44.416098+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:17:04.643123
License: Public Domain

Williams, J.
(dissenting)—By the majority opinion, Hahn is determined to be competent to stand trial. He is likewise permitted to refuse to avail himself of the insanity defense even though this "was induced at least in part by the same paranoid delusion that led him to commit the crime." Majority, at 880. Then, as to dispensing with the service of counsel, it is decided that Hahn did not make a "knowing and intelligent" waiver because of his mental health which "is especially important where, as here, the defendant's paranoia induces both the commission of the charged offense and the desire to waive counsel." Majority, at 882.
The basic rule concerning waiver of the right to counsel guaranteed by the federal and state constitutions is stated in State v. Chavis, 31 Wn. App. 784, 787, 644 P.2d 1202 (1982):
Generally, a defendant in a criminal case who is sui juris and mentally competent has the right to conduct his defense in person, without assistance of counsel. Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 45 L. Ed. 2d 562, 569, 95 S. Ct. 2525 (1975). Whether a valid waiver of counsel exists is within the discretion of the trial judge. State v. Kolo-cotronis, 73 Wn.2d 92, 102, 436 P.2d 774 (1968); State v. Fritz, 21 Wn. App. 354, 361, 585 P.2d 173, 98 A.L.R.3d 1 (1978). In Fritz, the court set forth basic principles for asserting and implementing the right of self-representation. Among those principles is the necessity of a knowing and intelligent waiver.
(Footnote omitted.) Similarly, in State v. Jones, 99 Wn.2d 735, 664 P.2d 1216 (1983), a refusal of insanity defense case, the State of Washington's Supreme Court enunciated the same principle:
*886A defendant exercising his right of self-representation, and thus by implication a defendant exercising his right to control his own defense, must '"knowingly and intelligently' " relinquish the benefits he forgoes and " should be made aware of the dangers and disadvantages" of his decision. Faretta [v. California, 422 U.S. 806, 45 L. Ed. 2d 562, 95 S. Ct. 2525 (1975)], at 835. Similarly, a court may not accept a guilty plea unless it is intelligent and voluntary. [North Carolina v.] Alford [400 U.S. 25, 27 L. Ed. 2d 162, 91 S. Ct. 160 (1970)], at 31; Boykin v. Alabama, 395 U.S. 238, 242, 23 L. Ed. 2d 274, 89 S. Ct. 1709 (1969). In addition, a defendant must be competent to make these intelligent and voluntary decisions.
State v. Jones, at 741. See also State v. Dodd, 70 Wn.2d 513, 424 P.2d 302, cert. denied, 387 U.S. 948 (1967).
Being psychotic does not necessarily mean a person is incompetent, delusions and hallucinations notwithstanding. And it does not necessarily mean that he cannot knowingly and intelligently waive a constitutional right. The key, once it has been established that the person is competent to stand trial, is whether he understands the particular constitutional right being waived, the legal consequences of it, and knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently makes the waiver.
In considering Hahn's motion to proceed pro se, the trial court heard Hahn and his appointed attorney and reviewed two reports signed by a clinical psychologist from Western State Hospital. These proceedings, combined with Hahn's appearance and his answers and comments to inquiries by the judge, supplied the judge with a sufficient basis to determine that Hahn was mentally competent to waive his right to counsel and was doing so knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily. I find nothing in the record indicating that the trial court abused its discretion in allowing Hahn to represent himself.
I note that the court very properly did appoint counsel who monitored the trial and was ready to assist Hahn should he have sought assistance. I also note that the evidence of Hahn's guilt at trial is overwhelmingly in support *887of the verdict. The judgment should be affirmed.
Reconsideration denied November 6, 1985.
Review granted by Supreme Court January 10, 1986.