State v. Bostwick

No

No. 98-177

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA

1999 MT 237

296 Mont. 149

988 P.2d 765

STATE OF MONTANA,

Plaintiff and Respondent,

v.

ROBERT BOSTWICK,

Defendant and Appellant.

APPEAL FROM: District Court of the Eighth Judicial District,

In and for the County of Cascade,

The Honorable Kenneth R. Neill, Judge presiding.

COUNSEL OF RECORD:

For Appellant:

Ronald Bissell, Public Defenders' Office, Great Falls, Montana

For Respondent:

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Hon. Joseph P. Mazurek, Attorney General; Patricia J. Jordan,

Assistant Attorney General, Helena, Montana

Brant Light, Cascade County Attorney; Jeffrey Mora, Deputy

County Attorney, Great Falls, Montana

Submitted on Briefs: April 1, 1999

Decided: September 30, 1999

Filed:

__________________________________________

Clerk

Justice Karla M. Gray delivered the Opinion of the Court.

¶ Robert Bostwick (Bostwick) appeals from the judgment and sentence entered by
the Eighth Judicial District Court, Cascade County, on a jury verdict finding him
guilty of two counts of felony criminal endangerment. We remand for further
proceedings.

¶ The dispositive issue on appeal is whether the District Court erred in denying
Bostwick a competency hearing.

BACKGROUND¶ On May 22, 1996, the State of Montana (State) charged Bostwick
by information with two counts of felony criminal endangerment in violation of § 45-
5-207(1), MCA (1995). The charges stemmed from an automobile accident on May
11, 1996, in which Bostwick wrecked a vehicle while driving through a residential
area at over 60 miles per hour with a blood alcohol content of .18.

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¶ Bostwick pled not guilty to the charges and, at the omnibus hearing, notified the
State that he would not rely on a mental disease or defect defense. In August of 1997,
Bostwick moved for a mental health examination to determine whether he was fit to
proceed to trial pursuant to § 46-14-202, MCA (1995). The District Court granted the
motion.

¶ Patrick Davis, Ph.D. (Dr. Davis), a clinical psychologist, met with Bostwick four
times in August of 1997, and conducted a series of tests and interviews. Based on
those tests and interviews, Dr. Davis prepared a seven-page report (the Davis Report)
which noted a number of knowledge deficits but also itemized at length Bostwick’s
reasonably good understanding of many of the facts and issues related to his case.
The Davis Report also stated that Bostwick appeared to have the capacity to make
necessary decisions about his case but "has chosen to defer such decision making to
his mother." Dr. Davis ultimately opined that Bostwick was fit to proceed to trial
provided certain accommodations were made at trial to allow for his slow thought
processes. He further opined that Bostwick’s competence to proceed would be
maintained only if his mother were competent to make decisions about his case.

¶ Bostwick’s counsel moved for a competency hearing, arguing that the Davis Report
constituted substantial evidence that Bostwick might not be fit to proceed to trial.
The State responded that a competency hearing was not necessary because Dr. Davis
found Bostwick fit to proceed.

¶ The District Court concluded that, because neither party contested the Davis
Report findings, § 46-14-221, MCA (1995), authorized it to make a competence
determination without holding a hearing. With regard to Dr. Davis’ statement that
Bostwick’s competence would be maintained only if his mother were competent, the
court observed that who Bostwick looked to for advice was not a legitimate
consideration in its determination of whether Bostwick was competent. Based on the
Davis Report, the District Court concluded that Bostwick was fit to proceed to trial
and scheduled a final pretrial conference hearing to consider, among other things,
what accommodations should be made during trial for Bostwick’s slow assimilation
of information.

¶ During the pretrial conference hearing, Bostwick renewed his motion for a
competency hearing. He relied on our recent decision in State v. Bartlett (1997), 282

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Mont. 114, 935 P.2d 1114, arguing that due process required a hearing because
sufficient doubt existed regarding Bostwick's fitness to proceed to trial. The District
Court denied Bostwick’s renewed motion without comment.

¶ Bostwick’s case proceeded to trial and the jury found him guilty of two counts of
criminal endangerment on September 10, 1997. Pursuant to statute, Bostwick moved
for a neuropsychological evaluation for sentencing purposes. The District Court
granted the motion and Mark H. Johnson, Ph.D. (Dr. Johnson) conducted the
evaluation. In a nine-page report (the Johnson Report) detailing his evaluation, Dr.
Johnson opined that Bostwick had borderline intellectual capacity and was at least
moderately impaired, and suggested psychiatric consultations and medications. He
also observed that, while he had not been asked to render an opinion about
Bostwick’s competence to proceed, he had concerns regarding Bostwick’s capacity.

¶ During his sentencing hearing on December 16, 1997, Bostwick moved to vacate the
verdict, arguing that he had not been fit to proceed to trial. He relied on the
cumulative information in the Davis Report, the Johnson Report, his conduct during
the trial and statements he made during the presentence investigation. The court
denied Bostwick’s motion and entered its judgment and sentence on January 9, 1998.
Bostwick appealed.

¶ After filing the notice of appeal, Bostwick’s counsel discovered a psychological
evaluation dated January 28, 1998, conducted by Jack D. Hornby, M.D. (Dr.
Hornby) for a separate criminal proceeding involving Bostwick. In his six-page
report, Dr. Hornby concluded Bostwick was not competent to "clearly understand
the nature of his legal situation or process nor able to participate as an informed
individual in the process that is taking place." In light of the newly discovered
evaluation, Bostwick moved for reconsideration. The District Court determined that
it lacked jurisdiction and denied Bostwick’s motion.

DISCUSSION¶ Did the District Court err in denying Bostwick a competency hearing?

¶ The District Court denied Bostwick’s original motion for a competency hearing on
the grounds that neither party contested the findings of the Davis Report and, as a
result, it was authorized by § 46-14-221, MCA (1995), to determine Bostwick’s
competence on the basis of the Davis Report without holding a hearing. The court
denied Bostwick’s renewed motion for a hearing to determine his fitness to proceed

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without addressing Bartlett, thereby implicitly concluding that the due process
principles underlying Bartlett did not require a competency hearing for Bostwick.
Our review of a trial court’s determination of a question of constitutional law is
plenary. State v. Compas, 1998 MT 140, ¶ 22, 290 Mont. 11, ¶ 22, 964 P.2d 703, ¶ 22
(citation omitted).

¶ On appeal, Bostwick does not challenge the court’s determination that neither
party contested the Davis Report findings or its conclusion that, under those
circumstances, it could determine Bostwick’s fitness to proceed without a hearing
pursuant to § 46-14-221, MCA (1995). He contends that, the statute notwithstanding,
Bartlett required the court to hold a competency hearing. We agree.

¶ The standard for determining whether a criminal defendant is mentally competent
to stand trial is statutory in Montana. Pursuant to § 46-14-103, MCA (1995),

[a] person who, as a result of mental disease or defect, is unable to understand
the proceedings against the person or to assist in the person’s own defense
may not be tried, convicted, or sentenced for the commission of an offense so
long as the incapacity endures.

The trial court must determine " 'whether [the defendant] has sufficient present ability to
consult with his lawyer with a reasonable degree of rational understanding--and whether
he has a rational as well as factual understanding of the proceedings against him.' " State
v. Santos (1995), 273 Mont. 125, 130, 902 P.2d 510, 513 (citations omitted).

¶ Furthermore, "due process requires that a hearing be held whenever evidence
raises a sufficient doubt about the mental competency of an accused to stand trial."
Griffin v. Lockhart (8th Cir. 1991), 935 F.2d 926, 929 (citations and footnote omitted).

The hearing operates as a safeguard to ensure that an accused is not convicted
while incompetent. A court’s failure to hold a competency hearing when
sufficient doubt as to the accused’s competency is raised violates the
accused’s due process rights. The doubt raised as to an accused’s competency
need not come from the defendant or the defendant’s attorney. A court has the
duty to order a competency hearing sua sponte if the court has reasonable
grounds for concluding that there is a good faith doubt as to a defendant’s
competency.

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Bartlett, 282 Mont. at 120, 935 P.2d at 1117 (citations omitted).

¶ "The exact nature and amount of evidence necessary to establish a sufficient doubt
[regarding competence] is uncertain--‘no fixed or immutable signs . . . invariably
indicate the need’ for a hearing." Griffin, 935 F.2d at 930 (quoting Drope v. Missouri
(1975), 420 U.S. 162, 180, 95 S.Ct. 896, 908, 43 L.Ed.2d 103, 118). It is clear, however,
that a single indicia of doubt regarding a defendant’s competency does not
necessitate a hearing. Rather, the trial court must consider the totality of events in
making its determination of whether to grant a competency hearing. See de Kaplany
v. Enomoto (9th Cir. 1976), 540 F.2d 975, 983, cert. denied, 429 U.S. 1075, 97 S.Ct.
815 (1977).

¶ Courts consider a variety of factors or indicia in determining whether sufficient
doubt concerning a defendant’s fitness to proceed exists so as to require a
competency hearing.

According to the Supreme Court, factors to consider include: (1) evidence of
irrational behavior by the accused, (2) the demeanor of the accused at trial,
and (3) any prior medical opinion on the mental competency of the accused to
stand trial. Any one of these factors alone can, "in some circumstances, be
sufficient."

Griffin, 935 F.2d at 930 (quoting Drope, 420 U.S. at 180, 95 S.Ct. at 908). Defense
counsel’s expressed doubt regarding the defendant’s competency also is a factor to
consider, but is not enough--standing alone--to create sufficient doubt about a defendant’s
fitness to proceed. See Griffin, 935 F.2d at 930 (citing Drope, 420 U.S. at 177 n.13, 95 S.
Ct. at 906 n.13); see also Collins v. Housewright (8th Cir. 1981), 664 F.2d 181, 184.

¶ In Bartlett, we considered additional indicia such as the nature of the crime, the
defendant’s past behavior and, in some cases, a claimed defense of mental insanity in
reviewing three cases advanced by the appellant. Bartlett, 282 Mont. at 121, 935 P.2d
at 1118 (citations omitted). In one case, the accused’s long history of disturbed
behavior, including the murder of his infant child, the nature of his crime (the point-
blank murder of his wife in front of many witnesses), and his defense of insanity
raised sufficient doubt about his competence to warrant a hearing. Bartlett, 282
Mont. at 121, 935 P.2d at 1118 (citing Pate v. Robinson (1966), 383 U.S. 375, 86 S.Ct.
836, 15 L.Ed.2d 815). Similarly, an accused’s previous attacks on his wife, attempted

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suicide during his trial, and psychiatric reports relating to the requisite mental state
also raised sufficient doubt as to his competence to warrant a hearing. Bartlett, 282
Mont. at 121, 935 P.2d at 1118 (citing Drope, 420 U.S. 162, 95 S.Ct. 896). In contrast,
the nature and quantum of evidence relating to incompetence in Speedy v. Wyrick
(8th Cir. 1984), 748 F.2d 481, did not raise sufficient doubt as to competence to
require a hearing where the accused’s crime was merely a crime of passion and "the
accused’s prior bizarre behavior, including a suicide attempt while awaiting trial,
was balanced by psychiatrists’ findings of competency." Bartlett, 282 Mont. at 121,
935 P.2d at 1118.

¶ We then examined the indicia of incompetence present in Bartlett, which included

standby counsel’s concerns as to whether Bartlett was "grounded enough in
reality" to stand trial, her request for a competency evaluation, a prior mental
health evaluation indicating a mental disorder, and Bartlett’s obstreperous
conduct during the pretrial phase of the second proceeding . . . .

Bartlett, 282 Mont. at 121, 935 P.2d at 1118. We also considered, however, the state
hospital report indicating that Bartlett’s refusal to cooperate in the mental examination was
not the result of a mental disease. Bartlett, 282 Mont. at 122, 935 P.2d at 1118.
Concluding that the indicia of incompetence which created sufficient doubt requiring a
hearing in Robinson and Drope were greater than those in Bartlett’s case, we ultimately
held that the district court "was not presented with sufficient doubt as to Bartlett’s
competency so as to require a hearing[.]" Bartlett, 282 Mont. at 122, 935 P.2d at 1119.

¶ In the present case, numerous indicia of incompetence existed prior to trial. First,
and most obviously, Bostwick’s counsel expressed doubt regarding Bostwick’s
competence to proceed by requesting a § 46-14-202, MCA (1995), mental health
examination, moving for a competency hearing and renewing that motion on Bartlett
grounds during the final pretrial conference hearing. Pursuant to Griffin, 935 F.2d at
930 (citing Drope, 420 U.S. at 177 n.13, 95 S.Ct. at 906 n.13), and Collins, 664 F.2d at
184, defense counsel’s doubt regarding the accused’s competence, while not enough
to establish sufficient doubt regarding competence to require a hearing, is a factor to
be considered.

¶ The most significant evidence bearing on whether sufficient doubt about
Bostwick’s fitness to proceed existed so as to require a competency hearing, however,

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is contained in the Davis Report. Dr. Davis gave Bostwick a standardized competency
test called the Competency Screening Test (CST) and Bostwick scored 18. Dr. Davis
reported that, according to the author of the CST, scores below 20 are thought to
raise issues of competency and, as a result, Dr. Davis administered a more
comprehensive structured competency interview called the Lawrence Present Mental
Competency Test (LAW-COMP). The LAW-COMP "raise[d] some questions with
regard to Mr. Bostwick’s competency and also reveal[ed] a number of areas of
knowledge deficit on his part." The results of these two tests are indicia bearing on
Bostwick’s competence which weigh in toward the establishment of sufficient doubt
requiring a hearing.

¶ With regard to the § 46-14-103, MCA (1995), criteria relating to understanding the
legal proceedings and assisting in the defense, the Davis Report reflected that
Bostwick had "knowledge deficits," including

that [Bostwick] did not know the name of his lawyer, he does not know that
he is charged with two counts of the same crime, he has not read any of the
reports in his case as a result of not having access to eyeglasses, he thinks that
one must pay a fee to be released from jail on Own Recognizance [sic], he
does not know what Motion to Suppress Evidence means, he does not seem to
be aware of the role the judge plays in sentencing, he does not know how a
jury is selected, he is not aware of any pleas other than guilty and not guilty,
he does not appear to have a good understanding of the concept of
incompetent to stand trial, he does not know what Suspended Sentence means,
he is unable to describe some of the important facts of his case such as the
address at which the alleged crime occurred, the time or date or the alleged
crime, or the names of the other individuals present at the time, he does not
seem to understand how his lawyer will use the process of cross-examination
to try and clarify any mis-information provided [by] a witness for the
prosecution, and he does not know what punishments are likely if a witness
engages in perjury. [Emphasis added.]

In contrast, Dr. Davis outlined approximately twenty legal theories and procedures
Bostwick apparently understood and summarized Bostwick’s capacity as follows:

Mr. Bostwick appears to demonstrate a reasonable capacity to understand his
current legal situation as well as the charges against him. He has the capacity

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to understand his legal rights as well as the legal issues and procedures in his
case. He also appears to possess the capacity to understand the role of defense
counsel, the prosecution, the judge, the jury, and the legal advisary [sic]
proceedings, as well as the capacity to understand the range and nature of
possible pleas, verdicts, dispositions, and penalties. He has the ability to
understand and disclose to counsel available pertinent facts surrounding the
alleged crime. He has the capacity to comprehend his attorney’s instructions
and advice, and, if necessary allowances are made for his very slow thought
process, he has the capacity to follow court testimony for contradictions and
errors, to so inform his attorney, and to realistically challenge prosecution
witnesses. [Emphasis added.]

At best, the highlighted parts of these two portions of the Davis Report appear somewhat
inconsistent. It is true that the first is denominated "knowledge deficits" which Dr. Davis
believed were "correctable with education" and the second specifically addresses
Bostwick’s capacity to understand the proceedings and assist in the defense. We are not
persuaded, however, that calling Bostwick’s inability "to describe some of the important
facts of his case" a "knowledge deficit" could be cured by education or otherwise; nor are
we persuaded that such an inability can be squared with Dr. Davis’ later statement that
Bostwick has the ability to "disclose to counsel available pertinent facts surrounding the
alleged crime." In any event, a comparison of these two portions of the Davis Report
engenders some doubt regarding Bostwick’s competence to understand the proceedings
against him and to assist in his defense.

¶ Finally, we observe that Dr. Davis determined early in his report that Bostwick's
medical history likely was "quite relevant" to the evaluation, but that he was unable
to review the pertinent records because Bostwick's mother advised Bostwick not to
sign anything authorizing the release of the necessary medical records. Dr. Davis'
statements in this regard were as follows:

It should be noted that Mr. Bostwick refused to give me permission to request
his medical records despite the fact that he appears to have a medical history
which is quite relevant to the present evaluation. He reported that he suffered
a head injury in childhood when he was run over by a car, that he attended
special education classes in school until he dropped out, the police reports in
his case suggest that he may have again suffered a significant head injury in
the accident [in which] he was involved on May 11, 1996, he provides a

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history of receiving mental health services at the New Directions Center
which is an adult day treatment program run by the Golden Triangle
Community Mental Health Center and which serves primarily individuals
who are disabled by severe mental illness, and finally medical information
provided by the jailers at the Detention Center indicate that he has been
prescribed the medication Mellaril by Dr. Jon Walz. At this point it is unclear
why this medication has been prescribed but reference to the Physician’s Desk
Reference reveals that this medication is used in the treatment of psychosis
and/or depression with anxiety. Mr. Bostwick’s reason for refusing to provide
authorization for the release of these records was that he has been advised by
his mother not to sign anything.

While the Davis Report is not clear whether or not Bostwick was taking the Mellaril at the
time, the prescription itself was a red flag. The existence of the prescription, taken
together with the limited information that Bostwick reported having received mental
health services at a facility which primarily served people disabled by severe mental
illness and may have had a head injury in childhood and another at the time of the accident
on May 11, 1996, were additional factors going to the existence of sufficient doubt about
Bostwick's competence to require a hearing under Bartlett.

¶ The State urges, however, and the District Court determined, that Dr. Davis
ultimately opined that Bostwick was competent to proceed. Indeed, the State posits
that Dr. Davis’ ultimate opinion precludes altogether the possibility of the existence
of sufficient doubt regarding Bostwick’s competence to understand the proceedings
or assist in his defense. Thus, we must carefully scrutinize Dr. Davis’ ultimate
opinion.

¶ Dr. Davis stated his ultimate opinion regarding Bostwick’s competency to proceed
to trial as follows:

It is my opinion, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, if proper
accommodations as described below are made during trial, and if Mr.
Bostwick is receiving competent advice from his mother with regard to the
decisions that he has made regarding his defense strategy, that Mr. Bostwick
is competent to proceed. If such accommodations are not allowed, or if his
mother is not a competent advisor, it would be my opinion that he is not
competent to proceed as a result of his cognitive difficulties impairing his

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capacity to effectively follow testimony for contradictions and errors, to so
inform his attorney, to realistically challenge prosecution witnesses, to testify
relevantly, and if necessary, to respond appropriately if cross-examined, and/
or as a result of his inability to resist incompetent advice offered by his
mother.

To ensure Mr. Bostwick’s competency during trial it will be necessary to
allow the trial to proceed at a very slow pace to allow Mr. Bostwick’s attorney
to confer with him frequently during the testimony provided. As such, it
should be expected that Mr. Bostwick’s attorney will frequently request the
opportunity to confer with his client, perhaps on multiple occasions while
witnesses are providing testimony. In addition, if Mr. Bostwick should elect to
testify on his own behalf, the attorney for the prosecution will need to
demonstrate extreme patience and restraint as any significant pressure placed
upon, or hostility directed towards, Mr. Bostwick will quite likely result in an
inability on his part to participate in the process in rational manner.

The issue of whether or not Mr. Bostwick is being influenced in a detrimental
manner with regard to decision making in his case by his reliance upon his
mother’s judgment cannot be fully illuminated by the present evaluation since
his mother’s competency to make decisions on his behalf has not been
assessed. It is clear, however, that while Mr. Bostwick possesses the capacity
to make decisions on his own behalf, he trusts his mother’s judgment more
than he trusts his own and is willing to allow her to make decisions regarding
his case for him. Given his long history of apparent dependency upon
members of his family to make important decisions for him, taken in
conjunction with his limited intellectual and cognitive abilities, he may not be
able to resist the influence of his mother. As such, it is my opinion that if Mr.
Bostwick’s mother is competent to make decisions about his case, his
competency would be maintained, however, if his mother is not competent to
advise him it would be my opinion that he is not competent to proceed as a
result of an inability to make independent rational decisions about his case.

The only fair reading of Dr. Davis’ opinion is that it is, at best, a "conditional" opinion that
Bostwick was competent to proceed. Indeed, the competence opinion is conditioned on the
existence of at least two circumstances: 1) that Bostwick is receiving competent advice
from his mother; and 2) that the accommodations outlined by Dr. Davis be made for the

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trial phase. In our view, such a conditional competence opinion not only does not negate
the possibility of sufficient doubt regarding Bostwick’s fitness to proceed, it is, in and of
itself, a significant indicator of doubt regarding Bostwick’s competence.

¶ The State also relies on a statement in the Davis Report that Bostwick has the
capacity to make decisions important to his case but "has chosen" to defer such
decisions to his mother. According to the State, this statement should put any
concerns about Dr. Davis’ first "condition" to rest. However, the State’s position
fails to take into account Dr. Davis’ later statements that--given Bostwick’s long
history of dependence on his family for decision making and his limited intellectual
and cognitive abilities--Bostwick

may not be able to resist the influence of his mother. As such, it is my opinion
that if Mr. Bostwick’s mother is competent to make decisions about his case,
his competency would be maintained, however, if his mother is not competent
to advise him it would be my opinion that he is not competent to proceed as a
result of an inability to make independent rational decisions about his case.

Contrary to the State’s argument, the inconsistency between the "has chosen" statement
and the "may not be able to resist" statement also creates doubt about Dr. Davis’ ultimate
opinion that Bostwick was competent and is a factor the District Court should have
considered in determining whether due process required a competency hearing for
Bostwick.

¶ In summary, Bostwick’s counsel repeatedly expressed doubt regarding Bostwick’s
competence and Bostwick took two standardized competency tests which raised
concerns regarding his competence. Further, the Davis Report contained conflicting
evidence regarding Bostwick’s competence, and Bostwick’s medical history--while
likely quite relevant and containing indicators of possible head injury and treatment
for mental illness--was not obtained. Finally, Dr. Davis’ ultimate opinion that
Bostwick was competent was "conditioned" on several factors. On this record, and
even confining our discussion to pretrial matters and evidence existing at the time of
Bostwick’s original and renewed motions for a competency hearing, the indicia of
Bostwick’s incompetence established sufficient doubt regarding Bostwick’s fitness to
proceed to trial to require a competency hearing.

¶ As a result, we conclude that the failure to grant Bostwick a competency hearing

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violated his due process rights. We hold, therefore, that the District Court erred in
concluding that a hearing was not required and in denying Bostwick’s motion for a
competency hearing.

¶ Our resolution of the dispositive issue raised by Bostwick does not end our
consideration of this case, however, because the "What next?" question remains.

When a state court wrongfully fails to hold a competency hearing, it often
may be impossible to repair the damage retrospectively. However, although
retrospective competency hearings are disfavored, they are permissible
whenever a court can conduct a meaningful hearing to evaluate
retrospectively the competency of the defendant.

Moran v. Godinez (9th Cir. 1994), 57 F.3d 690, 696, cert. denied, 516 U.S. 976, 116 S.Ct.
479 (1995) (citations omitted).

¶31 Therefore, we remand this case to the District Court to determine if a meaningful
retrospective competency hearing can be held. In making this determination, the court
should consider--but not be limited to--the passage of time, the contemporaneous medical
and psychiatric evidence available, and the availability of witnesses who could offer
testimony regarding Bostwick’s competence during the pretrial and trial stages of this
case. See Moran, 57 F.3d at 696.

¶32 If the court determines a meaningful retrospective competency hearing is possible, it
shall conduct one. If, as the result of such a hearing, the District Court finds that Bostwick
was competent at the time of the original proceedings, the damage resulting from the

erroneous failure to hold a competency hearing at that time is cured (see Moran, 57 F.3d at
696) and Bostwick’s conviction and sentence may stand. On the other hand, if the court
finds that Bostwick was not competent, it shall vacate Bostwick’s conviction, judgment
and sentence and proceed in accordance with § 46-14-221(2), MCA (1995).

¶33 Alternatively, the District Court may determine on remand that a meaningful
retrospective competency hearing is not possible. In that event, Bostwick’s conviction,
judgment and sentence must be vacated and the State will be free to retry Bostwick
subject, of course, to his competence to proceed at that time. See Drope, 420 U.S. at 183,
95 S.Ct. at 909, 43 L.Ed.2d at 120.

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¶34 Remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

/S/ KARLA M. GRAY

We concur:

/S/ W. WILLIAM LEAPHART

/S/ JIM REGNIER

Justice James C. Nelson specially concurs.

¶35 I concur in our discussion of the "What next?" question and in our discussion of the
dispositive issue as far as this latter discussion goes. Unfortunately, however, our decision
on the dispositive issue fails to address and to condemn the elemental flaw underlying the
limited proceedings to determine Mr. Bostwick's competency that were held prior to his
first trial. With our failure, my concern is that this same fundamental error will be
perpetuated in the further proceedings on remand.

¶36 As stated in the Court's opinion, Mr. Bostwick was ultimately determined fit to stand
trial and to assist in his defense so long as his mother advised him and so long as she was
"competent to make decisions about his case." Therein lies the problem. Regardless of
whether this conclusion is reached without a hearing or after one, I cannot agree with the
bizarre notion that, for purposes of Title 46, chapter 14, part 2, the mental fitness and
competency of a criminal accused can somehow be determined by reference to and be
dependent upon the mental fitness and competency of a third party. Quite simply, it cannot.

¶37 When, as here, a criminal defendant's mental fitness to stand trial and to assist in his
defense is at issue the whole purpose and focus of the procedures in Title 46, chapter 14,
part 2, is to assess the defendant's mental status and his alone. If the accused is not
mentally fit to stand trial and to assist in his defense in his own right, then there is simply
no basis in the law of which I am aware that will permit the defendant, nevertheless, to be
tried because a competent, trusted family member or friend can advise him. Our system of

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jurisprudence does not even allow a mentally unfit criminal defendant to be tried when
advised by legal counsel--much less a third-party lay person untrained in the law--
notwithstanding that the accused's attorney is professionally and ethically bound to
represent his client's interests and notwithstanding that counsel is trained in the intricacies
of criminal law and procedure.

¶38 The reason is obvious. The defendant, unlike the third-party advisor, is the fellow who
if convicted will lose his life, liberty or property. As a consequence, the accused must be
able to make decisions as to his case and defense based on his own understanding of the
charges filed against him; based on his own knowledge of the facts; based on his own
assessment of his particular situation; and based on his own evaluation of his lawyer's
advice on tactics and strategy. Allowing substitution of the judgments and decisions of
some third party on these critical matters for the judgments and decisions of the accused
himself (because he is not mentally capable of making those judgments and decisions on
his own) not only perverts the statutory scheme which the legislature has adopted but also
effectively deprives the defendant of his right to appear and defend in person; of his right
to demand the nature and cause of the accusation against him; of his right to confront
witnesses; of his right to testify or remain silent; of his right to due process of law; and of
his right to a fundamentally fair trial--all of which are rights guaranteed to the defendant
personally under Article II, Sections 17, 24 and 25, of the Montana Constitution.

¶39 The bottom line is this. If Mr. Bostwick is not mentally capable of standing trial and
assisting in his defense in his own right and without reference to and dependent upon his
mother's mental competency and her advice, then he is not mentally fit to be further
prosecuted. Period.

/S/ JAMES C. NELSON

Justice Terry N. Trieweiler joins in the foregoing specially concurring opinion.

/S/ TERRY N. TRIEWEILER

Justice William E. Hunt, Sr., joins in the foregoing specially concurring opinion.

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/S/ WILLIAM E. HUNT, SR.

Chief Justice J. A. Turnage, dissenting.

¶40 I respectfully dissent from the majority decision to remand this case to the District
Court for the purpose of determining if a meaningful retrospective competency hearing
can be held.

¶41 The District Court, based on a report by Dr. Davis, concluded that defendant Bostwick
was fit to proceed to trial. I agree with the District Court.

¶42 At the pretrial omnibus hearing, the defense represented that it would not rely upon a
mental disease or defect defense, but that it would rely upon the defense of compulsion.
The District Court determined that it was authorized by § 46-14-221, MCA, to make a
decision based upon Dr. Davis's report without a hearing, since neither party contested that
report. Accordingly, the District Court concluded that the defendant was fit to proceed to
trial. A review of the record in this case, in my view, clearly establishes that the defendant
was fit to proceed to trial, and the District Court did not err in so concluding.

¶43 During the early morning of May 11, 1996, Bostwick, after a prolonged period of
drinking alcohol and with a blood alcohol content of .18--nearly twice the legal limit
establishing drunken driving--drove his vehicle around residential areas of Great Falls,
Montana, where the speed limit was 25 miles per hour, in excess of a speed of 66 miles
per hour as estimated by law enforcement personnel. Bostwick drove his vehicle into a
power pole, knocking it down, and also into a parked vehicle. The force of the collision
was so severe that it required rescue personnel to use the jaws of life to remove Bostwick
and his two passengers, all of whom were severely injured, from the Bostwick vehicle.

¶44 Bostwick was charged with two counts of felony criminal endangerment and was
found guilty of each count by a jury.

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¶45 The trial transcript commencing at page 263 and ending at page 275 contains the
direct examination, cross-examination, and redirect examination of Bostwick. On direct
examination his counsel posed 42 questions. To each of those questions, Bostwick was
very capable of recalling events and giving relevant answers. In his answers, he also was
able to establish what would be his proposed defense of compulsion, intended to convince
the jury that he was compelled by threats to get in his car and drive it in the manner that he
did.

¶46 On cross-examination by the county attorney, 34 questions were posed to Bostwick.
He could remember nothing and, therefore, was unable to respond to any of those
questions.

¶47 I believe the record clearly establishes that Bostwick had a highly-selective memory
and was able to use it when it was to his advantage.

¶48 The presentence report in this case demonstrates that Bostwick is no stranger to court
proceedings. He has been convicted of two prior felonies and also of two prior driving
while intoxicated charges.

¶49 Bostwick has had a fair trial, and this case should not be remanded for further
proceedings. I dissent.

/S/ J. A. TURNAGE

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