Lead Opinion
Jаrrett Traylor appeals his conviction for felony murder while in the commission of aggravated assault in connection with the fatal shooting of Matthew Antonio Stark and the denial of his motion for new trial in which he challenged his competency to stand trial. For the reasons which follow, we affirm in part and reverse in part and remand the case to the trial court.
The evidence construed in favor of the verdicts showed that on September 12, 2002, Kenneth Robinson met Bryan Schiele and
Afew weeks before the shooting, Traylor’s stepfather, with whom Traylor was living, reported to the police that his black semiautomatic .40 caliber Glock handgun had been stolen from his vehicle. There were no signs of forced entry to the vehicle. During that time frame, Traylor showed Schiele a handgun, and stated, “If anybody messes with me, I’ll shoot them.” About a week before the shooting, Traylor was seen arguing with Stark and Robinson, and later displayed a black semiautomatic handgun. Traylor remarked that if Robinson ever “came at him with a gun” he would shoot him.
1. The evidence was sufficient to enable a rational trier of fact to find Traylor guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the felony murder and aggravated assault of Stark. Jackson v. Virginia,
2. Traylor contends that the trial court erred by rеfusing to let him present evidence that he knew Robinson owned and usually carried a handgun. He argues that the trial court improperly excluded such evidence on the basis that it would be inappropriate character evidence, when in fact, it was relevant to the reasonableness of his fear, which was critical for his claim of self-defense. But the argument is unavailing.
As Traylor notes,
[a]s a general rule, a victim’s2 character is not relevant or admissible in the murder trial. There is an exception when*402 the defendant claims justification and offers evidence that the [victim] was the first aggressor. In Georgia, this exceptiоn permits the defendant to present evidence of both the [victim’s] general reputation for violence and specific acts of violence against third persons.
(Footnotes omitted.) Austin v. State,
[a] necessary prerequisite to the admission of evidence of a victim’s violence is the defendant’s establishment of a prima facie showing of justification. [Cit.] A prima facie case of justification requires a showing that the victim was the aggressor, that the victim assaulted the defendant, and that the defendant was honestly trying to defend [him] self. [Cit.]
(Punctuation omitted.) Harrison v. State,
It is certainly true, as Traylor points out, that neither owning nor possessing a firearm, without more, imputes bad character. Henderson v. State,
An acceptable test for relevancy is whether the evidence offered renders the desired inference more probable than it would be without the evidence. Smith v. State,
3. Traylor also contends that the trial court erred by refusing to permit him to present evidence of an incident claimed to have occurred a few months before the shooting in which Stark pointed a gun at Traylor. But, this contention is likewise unavailing. As Trаylor concedes, such evidence would implicate Stark’s character; therefore, Traylor was required to make the requisite showing that the victim was the aggressor, assaulted him, and that he was honestly trying to defend himself. Harrison v. State, supra at 577 (3). Traylor failed to make such a showing with regard to Stark or Robinson. See Division 2, supra. Evidence of the alleged prior incident with Stark could not be used to satisfy Traylor’s burden of establishing his prima facie case of justification because such prima facie case must be based upon the res gestae of the crime on trial, not on prior incidеnts. Johnson v. State,
4. Traylor raised the issue of his competency to stand trial in his motion for new trial. See Florescu v. State,
(a) Citing Pate v. Robinson,
Traylor did not, either prior to or during trial, raise the issue of his competency to stand trial or seek a hearing regarding his competency. However, a trial court is to conduct, sua sponte, a competency hearing when there is information which becomes known to it, prior to or at thе time of the trial, sufficient to raise a bona fide doubt regarding the defendant’s competence. Collins v. State,
Traylor argues that the issue of his incompetency was raised during trial by virtue of certain conflicting responses given to the trial court, which the trial court did not explore, and the fact that the trial court was aware that he was developmentally disabled. First, the trial court did indeed explore some inconsistency in Traylor’s rеsponses to questioning. Furthermore, examination of the record fails to demonstrate that either Traylor’s behavior at trial or his medical history should have caused the trial court, sua sponte, to conduct a competency hearing.
Just prior to the State resting its case, Traylor’s attorney informed the trial court that Traylor would not testify or present any evidence. Outside the jury’s presence, the court questioned Traylor regarding his understanding of his rights. Traylor affirmatively stated that he understood his rights, but indicated that he needed to talk further with his attorney before making the decision nоt to testify. The jury returned to the courtroom, the State rested, the jury was sent to lunch, and then the trial court gave Traylor another 25 minutes to confer with counsel. Traylor returned to the courtroom and stated that he had been given adequate time to speak with his
Under these circumstances, Traylor has failed to show that, prior to or at the time of trial, there was any evidence of irrational behavior, or unusual demeanor on his part, or any medical opinion regarding his competence which would have caused the trial court to make further inquiry about it, and therefore, Traylor has not shown a violation of procedural due process. Collins v. State, supra at 587 (2).
(b) Traylor also insists that his substantive due process rights were violated because he was tried when he was, in fact, not competent to stand trial. He argues that because both the clinical psychologist and cliniсal neuropsychologist who evaluated him testified at the motion for new trial hearing that he was incompetent at the time of trial, he carried his burden of demonstrating by a preponderance of the evidence that he was incompetent to stand trial, and that in ruling on the motion for new trial, the trial court could not arbitrarily
An explanation of the genesis of Traylor’s incompetency claim is necessary. Certainly, at the time of trial, Traylor appeared capable of understanding the proceedings, making decisions regarding the trial, and assisting his attorney in his defense. See Division 4 (a), supra. However, approximаtely four months after trial, the trial court requested a pre-sentence investigation. The resulting report indicated that Traylor’s account of significant events in his life raised concerns about his mental state. Approximately 14 months after trial, Traylor’s appellate counsel obtained an order from the trial court for Traylor to be examined by clinical neuropsychologist, Dr. Stephen Johnson, for “reasons pertaining to [Traylor’s] Motion for New Trial.” Four months later, and with the consent of the State and Traylor’s appellate counsel, the trial court entered аn order for a psychiatric examination of Traylor at Georgia Regional Hospital, where Traylor was evaluated by clinical psychologist, Dr. Pamela Eilender. At the hearing on the motion for new trial, Traylor presented Eilender and Johnson as his sole witnesses. Traylor’s trial counsel testified for the State.
It is true that,
[a] defendant bears the burden of establishing incompetency to stand trial by a preponderance of the evidence, and this burden is consistent with principles of due process. The threshold for competency is easily met in most cases; it exists so long as a dеfendant is capable at the time of the trial of understanding the nature and object of the proceedings going on against him and rightly comprehends his own condition in reference to such proceedings, and is capable of rendering his attorneys such assistance as a proper defense to the indictment preferred against him demands.
Lewis v. State,
First, James v. Singletary affirms that according to precedent in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, “a [federal habeas] petitioner is entitled to an evidentiary hearing on a substantive incompetency claim if he or she ‘presents clear and convincing evidence to create a “real, substantial and legitimate doubt” ’ as to his or her competency.” James v. Singletary at 1573. This initial showing is required in order to adapt the general principle regarding federal habeas claims that “a habeas petitioner is entitled to an evidentiary hearing on a claim if he or she alleges facts that, if proved at the hearing, would entitle the petitioner to relief’ to the specific case of a substantive incompetency claim. James v. Single-tary at 1574, n. 17. Traylor is not in the position of a federal habeas petitioner, and this Court declines to impose on him the general threshold requirements for adjudication of a claim by a federal habeas petitioner. Id. Traylor can and did raise his claims of incompetency via his motion for new trial. Florescu v. State, supra.
Second, the James v. Singletary Court interpreted the “clear and convincing” language as “referring to the proffer of proof a petitioner must make, rather than to the burden of proof a petitioner must meet, to receive an evidentiary hearing.” Id. at 1573, n. 17. That Court recognized the inherent problems with the requirement of “ ‘clear and convincing’ evidence raising a ‘substantial doubt’ as to competency” and advocated abolishing it. Id. Pretermitting any constitutional concerns which might be implicated, it would be, at the very least, incongruous in this context, to demand a higher standard for an initial proffer of evidence of incompetence than that required for proof of the substantive claim of actual incompetence to stand trial. The transcript of the motion for new trial hearing makes plain that Traylor believed he was presenting his case to secure a ruling on his substantive claim of incompetency, that is, he was attempting to secure a post-conviction adjudication on the question of competency. Florescu v. State, supra; see also Dyer v. State,
That portion of the judgment denying Traylor a new trial which was based upon the trial court’s finding that Traylor failed to present “clear and convincing evidence to warrant an evidentiary hearing” on his substantive claim of incompetency must be reversed. See Harris v. State,
Upon remand the burden first falls upon the [Sjtate to show there is sufficient evidence to make a meaningful determination of competency at the time of trial. If the court rules that a determination of appellant’s competency at the time of his trial is not presently possible, then a new trial must be granted. If the court decides such a determination is possible, the issue of competency to stand trial must be tried and the apрellant shall have the burden to show incompetency by a preponderance of the evidence. The sole issue to be presented to the [factfinder]7 is that of mental competency; evidence as to guilt would be irrelevant. [Cit.] If the [fact-finder] finds that the appellant was not mentally competent at the time of his trial, the verdict in the main case must be set aside. On the other hand, if the appellant fails by a preponderance of the evidence to prove incompetence at the time of his trial, the verdict of guilty shall stand.
Baker v. State, supra at 193.
Accordingly, this case is remanded to the trial court for action consistent with this opinion. After completion of the proceedings on remand, the judgment may be subject to a right of appeal. Id. Accord Brogdon v. State,
Notes
The shooting occurred on September 12, 2002. On December 5, 2002, a DeKalb County grand jury indicted Traylor for Count 1 - the malice murder of Matthew Antonio Stark; Count 2 - the felony murder of Matthew Antonio Stark while in the commission of the aggravated assault of Stark; Count 3 - the felony murder of Matthew Antonio Stark while in the commission of the aggravated assault of Kenneth D. Robinson; Count 4 - the felony murder of Matthew Antonio Stark while in the commission of the aggravated assault of Bryan Schiele; Count 5 - the aggravated assault of Matthew Antonio Stark; Count 6 — the aggravated assault of Kenneth D. Robinson; and Count 7 - the aggravated assault of Bryan Schiele. Traylor was tried before a jury March 4-7, 2003; he was acquitted of Counts 1, 3, 4, 6, and 7, and found guilty of Counts 2 and 5. On July 17, 2003, Traylor was sentenced to life in prison for the felony murder (Count 2); the trial court found that the aggravatеd assault (Count 5) merged for the purpose of sentencing. A motion for new trial was filed on August 13, 2003, and it was denied on June 3, 2005. Anotice of appeal was filed on July 5,2005, and the appeal was docketed in this Court on August 26, 2005. The case was argued orally on November 21, 2005.
Even though Traylor ultimately was acquitted of the charged crimes involving Robinson,
Implicit in the holding is that owning or possessing the firearm is lawful.
At trial, Traylor also argued that he sought to admit this evidence in order to chаllenge Robinson’s credibility.
Robinson was not found to have any weapon at the time of the incident.
This Court has provided the same remedy when a Pate violation occurs. Baker v. State, supra at 192 (1).
The right to a special jury under OCGA§ 17-7-130 can be waived; however, the defendant must be afforded an adequate hearing on the issue of competency. Baker v. State, supra at 190 (1).
Following a finding of competency, “the appropriate standard of appellate review is whether after reviewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, a rational trier of fact could have found that the defendant failed to prove by a preponderance of the evidence thаt he was incompetent to stand trial.” Sims v. State,
Concurrence Opinion
concurring in part and dissenting in part.
I fully concur in Divisions 1 through 3 of the majority opinion. With respect to the issue of Traylor’s competency to stand trial, addressed in Division 4, I agree with the holding of Subdivision (a) that, on motion for new trial, he failed to show a violation of procedural due process. In Subdivision (b), however, the issue of a post-conviction substantive due process claim of incompetency is addressed for the first time in this state. There, the majority relies on the misguided criticism by a federal court of the accepted procedure regarding the resolution of such claims, which criticism has never been followed or even repeated by any other appellate court, as authority to reverse and remand with direction that the trial court determine Traylor’s competency. Because the effect of today’s decision is to encourage criminal defendants to raise belated claims of their incompetence and to frustrate the timely administration of justice in this state, I dissent.
Neither the Supreme Court of the United States nor this Court has ever previously recognized a substantive due process competency сlaim. Compare Baker v. State,
Many federal courts and some state courts have recognized that, after conviction, a substantive due process claim of incompetence to stand trial may be viable. However, the universal rule in those courts is that, to demonstrate entitlement to a hearing, the convicted person must make a preliminary showing by clear and convincing evidence of a real, substantial, and legitimate doubt regarding his competence at the time of trial. Nicks v. State, 783 S2d 895, 908-909 (II) (Ala. Crim. App. 1999); Yackle, Postconviction Remedies § 133 (2005) (citing Walker v. Gibson,
In choosing to deviate from that universаl procedure, the majority relies on James v. Singletary, supra at 1574 (III) (C), fn. 17,
When the import of Medina and Lewis is carefully considered, the majority’s analysis utterly collapses. Neither the burden nor the standard of proof in evidentiary competency hearings furnishes any distinction between procedural and substantive due process claims. Today’s holding has obliterated the only remaining viable distinction, which is in the nature and extent of the initial proffer necessary to obtain an evidentiary hearing. This Court has now become the only court in the nation to eliminate the requirement that the convicted person make a “clear and convincing” preliminary showing of a “substantial doubt” to warrant a post-conviction competency hearing as a matter of substantivе due process, and has apparently pressed even farther into untrod territory and entirely abolished the requirement that he or she make any initial proffer whatsoever. The effect of this wholly unsupported ruling is to delay resolution of the issue of competence to stand trial for an indeterminate time without consequence, and to compel the holding of an evidentiary hearing even during or subsequent to appellate proceedings, regardless of whether there is or ever was any reason to doubt the defendant’s competence. While purporting to distinguish between substantive and procedural due process competency claims, the majority has actually destroyed the distinction and simultaneously removed all incentive for a timely, non-belated determination of a defendant’s competence to stand trial.
In this case, assuming that a distinct substantive due process competency claim is available in Georgia, both the applicable law and the evidence authorized the trial court to find that an evidentiary hearing was unwarranted because there was not clear and convincing evidencе of substantial doubt as to competency.
This standard of proof is high; and “the facts must positively, unequivocally, and clearly generate the legitimate doubt.” [Cit.] “A [trial] court’s determination that there is insufficient evidence to generate a substantial and legitimate doubt as to ... competence to stand trial is reviewed for clear error.” [Cit.]
Battle v. United States,