Frank R. Dryman, also known as Frank R. Valentine, defendant and appellant, was charged by information filed April 11, 1951, with the crime of murder. To this charge, without benefit of counsel, he plead guilty and was by the lower court on April 12, 1951, sentenced to be “hanged by the neck until dead.’’ Such hanging was to take place on June 1, 1951.
On May 28, 1951, Dryman petitioned the lower court to be permitted to withdraw his plea of guilty and substitute therefor a plea of not guilty. From the judgment of conviction and an order denying him the right to change his plea he appeals.
*501 The petition alleged the “defendant was not competent” when the plea of guilty was made, and that defendant’s attorneys had evidence which “raises serious question as to the mental stability and capacity of this defendant. ’ ’ It was based upon the affidavit of one of defendant’s counsel and upon the medical records of the United States Navy, duly authenticated. Upon hearing, both defendant and the state submitted evidence.
The hospital records of the United States Navy show: That on May 7, 1949, defendant, then not eighteen years of age, was suffering from “schizophrenia” and such records designated defendant as “insane.”
Called by the state, Dr. Robert Spratt, superintendent of Montana’s hospital for the insane, a capable medical man and a trained psychiatrist, who served as such in the United States naval hospitals during World War II, stated that “from his experience in the navy,” he knew that naval doctors and psychiatrists “were competent men.”
Dr. Spratt, having questioned and had defendant under observation, on direct examination testified:
“Q. Do you believe he is suffering from a mental disease? A. Yes.
“Q. A disease of the type that can be cured? A. I can’t think of any case, that I know of that was cured.
‘ ‘ Q. How would you diagnose the condition of the defendant ? A. It is my opinion that he has a psychopathic personality. ’ ’
On cross-examination he said:
“Q. In your opinion is a schizophrenia a dangerous person to be at large? A. Yes, usually — or frequently. I will change that to frequently. * * *
“Q. You say because of what went on, there is certainly a mental disease or illness? A. Yes.”
The evidence raises a grave doubt that defendant had the mental capacity to appreciate and understand what he was doing and the consequences thereof, when, without benefit of counsel, he pleaded guilty to the charge of murder. Since *502 ■all doubt should be resolved in favor of a trial on the merits, defendant should have been allowed to withdraw his plea of guilty and enter a plea of not guilty.
In State ex rel. Foot v. District Court,
In State v. Casaras,
For the reasons stated the cause is remanded to the lower court with directions to set aside the judgment and allow defendant to withdraw his plea of guilty and enter a plea of not guilty.