Stephen S. Kelley, Appellant, v. United States of America, Appellee, 221 F.2d 822 (D.C. Cir. 1954)

June 3, 1952, there was filed in the District Court an indictment against the appellant Stephen S. Kelley and another, charging robbery in violation of § 22-2901, D.C.Code (1951). Kelley pled not guilty. July 18, 1952, the United States moved in the District Court for a hearing pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 4244 (1952), as to the mental competency of Kelley to stand trial. By reason of the terms of this statute, the pertinent parts of which are set forth in the margin,¹  the filing of the motion evidenced that the United States Attorney had reasonable cause to believe the accused,

"* * * may be presently insane or otherwise so mentally incompetent as to be unable to understand the proceedings against him or properly to assist in his own defense * * *."

In response to the motion the court initiated proceedings under the statute and on the same day, July 18, 1952, found that Kelley was mentally incompetent. As authorized by 18 U.S.C. § 4246 (1952),²  the court thereupon ordered that he "* * * be committed to the custody of the Attorney General or his authorized representative until he is mentally competent to stand trial, or until the pending charges against him are disposed of according to law."

February 13, 1953, the Superintendent of St. Elizabeths Hospital certified that under commitment from the District Court Kelley had been received there for treatment October 7, 1952, had recovered his reason, was of sound mind and had been discharged February 13, 1953.

Eight months later, October 12, 1953, the case was called for trial. Kelley's counsel then asked the court, presided over by another judge, to order a re-examination. He stated that the accused was at one time committed to St. Elizabeths and that he had talked to him that morning for about twenty minutes and felt he was not prepared to go to trial. The court said he could hardly grant the motion on counsel's own impressions. This indicated a misunderstanding, for counsel's statement had referred also to Kelley's commitment to St. Elizabeths. Counsel again referred to the record from St. Elizabeths, which he said at the time of Kelley's discharge was not conclusive, and to the prior examination of two doctors "who will testify even now that the man is insane". The court denied the motion and the case went to trial. This appeal is from the judgment on the conviction which followed.

As we have seen from the text of 18 U.S.C. § 4244, n. 1, supra, Congress has provided,³  insofar as here pertinent, that when his counsel has reasonable cause to believe an accused "may be presently insane or otherwise so mentally incompetent as to be unable to understand the proceedings against him or properly to assist in his own defense," and moves for a judicial determination of the matter, setting forth the grounds for his belief,

"* * * the court shall cause the accused * * * to be examined as to his mental condition by at least one qualified psychiatrist, who shall report to the court."

If the report of the psychiatrist indicates a state of present insanity or mental incompetency the court shall hold a hearing at which evidence as to the mental condition of the accused may be submitted and the court shall make a finding, followed if need be by the commitment authorized by 18 U.S.C. § 4246, n. 2, supra.

This court has twice held that under these provisions a motion such as made in this case must be granted. Perry v. United States, 90 U.S.App.D.C. 186, 195 F.2d 37,⁴  decided January 31, 1952, and Wear v. United States, ___ U.S.App. D.C. ___, 218 F.2d 24, decided July 22, 1954. Furthermore, in another case, Gunther v. United States, ___ U.S.App. D.C. ___, 215 F.2d 493, decided July 1, 1954, this court held also that even in the absence of such a motion a judicial determination of mental competency to stand trial is required when, in circumstances like those in the case at bar, there has been an earlier judicial determination of incompetency and no subsequent judicial determination of competency. The present motion had back of it not only an earlier finding of incompetency but counsel's representation that the two psychiatrists who had served in the earlier proceedings on court appointment would testify to Kelley's present incompetency. If such a well-founded motion does not bring the statutory procedure into operation the purpose of Congress obviously is frustrated. It was error for the court to deny the motion.⁵ 

In its brief the Government concedes that the principles enunciated in Gunther v. United States, supra, were violated.⁶  It contends, however, that this requires only that the case be remanded to the District Court for the purpose of determining now whether Kelley was competent to go to trial in October, 1953. It is said that final disposition of the appeal should be stayed pending such determination. But the error as we have pointed out is the same as that which occurred in Perry and Wear, where, at the outset of the trial, a motion was made for judicial determination of competency to stand trial, and was erroneously denied. Such a motion was not made in Gunther. In both Perry and Wear we reversed and remanded for a new trial, with opportunity for pre-trial determination of the mental competency of the accused. The sequence laid down by Congress as the appropriate means of avoiding the trial of one who is unable to understand the proceedings and to assist in his own defense is that the determination of his capacity in these respects shall be made before he is actually put on trial. And when the question is properly raised on behalf of the accused before trial the court can readily adjust itself to a procedure which conforms with the Congressional design. Otherwise the determination would be made, as the Government now urges should be done, long after the event which it was intended to precede.⁷  Congress sought further to protect the public interest by providing in 18 U.S.C. § 4246, n. 2, supra, that should the trial court determine that the accused is mentally incompetent he need not be released. On the contrary he may be committed to the custody of the Attorney General or his authorized representative until he is mentally competent to stand trial or until the charges are disposed of according to law. Furthermore, pending the examination the court "may order the accused committed for such reasonable period as the court may determine to a suitable hospital or other facility to be designated by the court." 18 U.S.C. § 4244.

In view of the foregoing it is not essential to pass upon other grounds urged for a new trial. The judgment of the District Court is reversed and the cause remanded for a new trial, with opportunity to the United States, the accused, and the court, for pre-trial consideration and action pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 4244, n. 1, supra.

Reversed and remanded.