Morris v. State, 273S25

• Decision Date: 14 August 1975
• Docket Number: No. 273S25,273S25
• Citation: 332 N.E.2d 90,263 Ind. 370
• Court: Indiana Supreme Court
• Parties: Roy MORRIS, Appellant, v. STATE of Indiana, Appellee.

Page 90

332 N.E.2d 90

263 Ind. 370

Roy MORRIS, Appellant, v. STATE of Indiana, Appellee.

No. 273S25.

Supreme Court of Indiana.

Aug. 14, 1975.

Rehearing Denied Oct. 9, 1975.

Harriette Bailey Conn, Public Defender, David P. Freund, Deputy Public Defender, Indianapolis, for appellant.

Theodore L. Sendak, Atty. Gen., John R. O'Bryan, Deputy Atty. Gen., Indianapolis, for appellee.

ARTERBURN, Justice.

Appellant, under the provisions of Rule P.C. 2 § 2, has taken this belated direct appeal from his 1967 conviction for Second Degree Murder. After an oral plea of not guilty, Appellant submitted the following 'Motion.'

'Defendant moves the court to enter an order submitting the defendant to duly qualified and authorized doctors of mental diseases for an examination to determine the following facts:

1. Whether said defendant at the time of the alleged offence set out in the indictment, first, reasonably understood the criminality of said alleged act; and

2. Knowing the criminality of said alleged act, was reasonably unable to resist the impulse, if any, compelling the commission of said alleged act; and that either or both of the above was caused by mental disease or defect of mind; and

3. To render a written report of said physicians to this court and to this defendant concerning the mental condition of said defendant both at the time of and during the period of said examination, and as well as of the date of the commission of said alleged offense.

In support of the foregoing motion, and as background for the Court, defendant states that he was in World War II as a member of the Armed Forces of United States and at the time Corrigador fell, this defendant was taken by the Japanese as a prisoner of war, and suffered mistreatment and malnutrition for a continual period of thirty -four (34) months; that since his discharge from the army he has been treated on two different occasions in the Veterans Hospital at Lexington, Kentucky and by other outside psychiatrists for mental disorder, and further said defendant, even though the holder of the Oakleaf Cluster with a Presidential Unit Citation, the Silver Star and other good conduct medals, has not been able to mentally adjust to civilian life and that he is in need of treatment for his nervous and mental defect or disease.'

It is to be noted that nowhere in this 'Motion' does the Appellant allege that he was legally insane at any time. Appellant did not file a written plea of 'not guilty by reason of insanity.' IC 1971, 35-5-2-1 (Burns' Ind.Stat.Ann. § 9-1701 (1974 Supp.)). Had he done so the court then would have appointed two physicians to examine the defendant. IC 1971, 35-5-2-2 (Burns' Ind.Stat.Ann. § 9-1702 (1974 Supp.)).

In addition, the following statute, IC 1971, 35--5--3.1--1 (Burns' Ind.Stat.Ann. § 9--1708 (1974 Supp.)), is pertinent to the present situation.

'Hearing to determine defendant's sanity during trial. When at any time before the final submission of any criminal cause to the court or jury trying the same, the court, either from its own knowledge or upon the suggestion of any person, has reasonable ground for believing the defendant to be insane, the court shall immediately fix a time for a hearing to determine the question of the defendant's sanity and shall appoint two (2) competent disinterested physicians who shall examine the defendant upon the question of his sanity and testify concerning the same at the hearing. At the hearing, other evidence may be introduced to prove the defendant's sanity or insanity. If the court shall find that the defendant has comprehension sufficient to understand the nature of the criminal action against him and the proceedings thereon and to make his defense, the trial shall not be delayed or continued on the ground of the alleged insanity of the defendant. If the court shall find that the defendant has no comprehension sufficient to understand the proceedings and make his defense, the trial shall be delayed or continued on the ground of the alleged insanity of the defendant. If the court shall find that the defendant has no comprehension sufficient to understand the proceedings and make his defense, the court shall order the defendant committed to the department of mental health to be confined by the department in an appropriate psychiatric institution'.

Thus, notwithstanding the Appellant's failure to plead according to IC 1971, 35-5-2-1, we think that Appellant's 'Motion' contained sufficient matter to come within IC 1971, 35-5-3.1-1, and to put the trial court on notice that it was presented with a situation involving a defendant's mental condition. Titling a document a 'Motion' does not make it one. We should look to the substance rather than merely the form of a document. Especially considering the gravity of the charge against this defendant, the trial judge, after having seen the 'Motion', should have discovered (1) whether the defendant intended this 'Motion' as the written plea of not guilty by reason of insanity required by statute or whether the defendant now wished to plead not guilty by reason of insanity; and, (2) whether or not Defendant was competent to stand trial. Since it appears that at this late date the question of Appellant's competency to stand trial cannot be retrospectively determined, there must be a new trial. Pate v. Robinson, (1966) 383 U.S. 375, 86 S.Ct. 836, 15 L.Ed.2d 815; Dusky v. United States, (1960) 362 U.S. 402, 80 S.Ct. 788, 4 L.Ed.2d 824.

Appellant raised several other issues. Although we are ordering a new trial, we will consider some of the issues raised by Appellant, for the guidance of the trial court should such issues arise on the retrial.

Appellant argued that the trial court erred in denying without hearing his motion for bail. Although it would seem that at this time such an issue would be moot, we nevertheless proceed to the merits.

Art I. § 17 of the Indiana Constitution provides:

'Bailable offenses.--Offenses, other than murder or treason, shall be bailable by sufficient sureties. Murder or treason shall not be bailable, when the proof is evident, or the presumption strong.'

This provision is implemented by IC 1971, 35-1-22-6 (Burns' Ind.Stat.Ann. § 9-1035 (1956 Supp.)).

'Bail in murder.--When any person is indicted for murder, the court in which the indictment is pending, upon motion, or in vacation the judge of the circuit or criminal court, upon application by writ of habeas corpus may admit the defendant to bail, when it appears upon examination that he is entitled to be let to bail.'

This court has said:

'The presumption is against the right to be admitted to bail in a murder case. The burden is on the applicant to show that the proof is not evident or presumption of guilt strong.'

Bozoviachar v. State, (1952) 230 Ind. 358, 366, 103 N.E.2d 680, 683. Accord, Schmidt v. Simmons, (1893) 137 Ind. 93, 36 N.E. 516; Ex parte Jones, (1876) 55 Ind. 176; Ex parte Heffren, (1866) 27 Ind. 87.

At the time of his first motion for the setting of bail (September 16, 1966) Appellant agreed to furnish authorities in support of his motion. On March 3, 1967, Appellant renewed his request for bail and cited one case as authority. We think it is evident that Appellant did not meet his burden of showing that he was entitled to bail. When a defendant submits no memorandum or affidavits...