Court Opinion

ID: 9641802
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 17:40:42.913565+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:10:39.832023
License: Public Domain

PHILLIPS, Circuit Judge
(dissenting).
On December 23, 1935, the petitioner, Frame, was adjudged insane in the county court of Prowers County, Colorado, and committed to the Colorado State Hospital. He was received at the hospital on December 27, 1935, and escaped therefrom on January 26, 1936. On March 3, 1937, four indictments charging federal offenses were returned against him in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma and he entered pleas of guilty to three indictments on March 6, 1937, and to the other indictment on March 12, 1937. Thereafter, on January 26, 1938, a formal order discharging him from the hospital was entered.
At the hearing on the petition for a writ of habeas corpus, petitioner introduced a certified copy of the order adjudging him insane, and proof that he was received at the Colorado State Hospital on December 27, 1935, that he escaped therefrom on January 26, 1936, and that he was not formally discharged therefrom until January 26, 1938. General insanity, once proved to exist, is presumed to continue until the contrary is shown.1
The proof of insanity on December 23, 1935, aided by the presumption, was prima facie evidence that petitioner was insane at the time he entered his pleas of guilty and respondent introduced no proof to the contrary. At the time the pleas of guilty were entered the fact that petitioner had been adjudged insane was called to the attention of the presiding judge and he questioned the petitioner at length but made no affirmative finding of sanity. While the trial court found that petitioner competently and understanding^ entered his pleas of guilty, it is my view that this finding is not supported by the evidence.
It is my conclusion, therefore, that the judgment should be reversed and the cause remanded with instructions to make full inquiry into the mental status of the petitioner at the time he entered the pleas of guilty-
For the reasons indicated, I respectfully dissent from the order of the court denying the petition for rehearing.

 In re Kehler, 2 Cir., 159 F. 55, 57. See, also, Hall v. Johnston, 9 Cir., 91 F.2d 363, 364.