Bradley v. State


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Docket Number: 2010-KA-01480-COA
Linked Case(s): 2010-KA-01480-COA ; 2010-CT-01480-SCT

Court of Appeals: Opinion Link
Opinion Date: 11-29-2011
Opinion Author: Griffis, P.J.
Holding: Affirmed

Additional Case Information: Topic: Aggravated assault - Mental evaluation - Competency to stand trial - URCCC 9.06
Judge(s) Concurring: Lee, C.J., Irving, P.J., Myers, Barnes, Ishee, Roberts and Maxwell, JJ.
Dissenting Author : Carlton, J.
Dissent Joined By : Russell, J.
Procedural History: Jury Trial
Nature of the Case: CRIMINAL - FELONY

Trial Court: Date of Trial Judgment: 08-24-2010
Appealed from: Lowndes County Circuit Court
Judge: James T. Kitchens, Jr.
Disposition: CONVICTED OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND SENTENCED TO TWENTY YEARS IN THE CUSTODY OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS WITH TEN YEARS TO SERVE, TEN YEARS SUSPENDED, AND FIVE YEARS OF POST-RELEASE SUPERVISION
Case Number: 20089-0576-CR1

  Party Name: Attorney Name:  
Appellant: Bruce Bradley, Sr.




LESLIE S. LEE, ERIN ELIZABETH PRIDGEN



 

Appellee: State of Mississippi OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: JEFFREY A. KLINGFUSS  

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Topic: Aggravated assault - Mental evaluation - Competency to stand trial - URCCC 9.06

Summary of the Facts: Bruce Bradley Sr. was convicted of aggravated assault and sentenced to twenty years, with ten years to serve and ten years suspended. He appeals.

Summary of Opinion Analysis: Bradley argues that the trial court improperly denied him the opportunity to have a mental evaluation done by a competent psychiatrist to determine his competency to stand trial. URCCC 9.06 requires the trial court to conduct a mental examination of a defendant if there is a reasonable ground to believe that the defendant is incompetent to stand trial. A test to determine when a competency procedure is required looks to the existence of a history of irrational behavior, defendant’s demeanor at trial, and a prior medical opinion. Bradley presented no evidence of any past irrational behavior. Only one medical opinion was presented, and no copies of the tests were provided to the trial court. But the trial judge observed his demeanor and behavior first hand. While the trial judge read the letter, heard testimony from Bradley’s mother that Bradley was childlike, and heard testimony from defense counsel that he had difficulties communicating with Bradley, the judge still found that none of this prevented Bradley from understanding the nature and consequences of his actions or the court proceedings. The trial judge was also presented with evidence that Bradley was competent to stand trial. Bradley has an active driver’s license, which he has had for some time; completed the 11th grade; owns a car; and has held jobs as a truck driver and unskilled laborer. Bradley’s mother also testified that if Bradley had a place to cook his meals for himself and wash his clothes, that he would be capable of doing so. A probation officer with the MDOC testified that he experienced no difficulty in communicating with Bradley. Thus, the trial court’s determination that Bradley was competent to stand trial is not manifestly against the overwhelming weight of evidence.


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