Manning v. United States, 9071.

Decision Date19 January 1967
Docket NumberNo. 9071.,9071.
Citation371 F.2d 811
PartiesRobert J. MANNING, Appellant, v. UNITED STATES of America, Appellee.
CourtU.S. Court of Appeals — Tenth Circuit

George P. Jones, III, Albuquerque, N. M., for appellant.

John A. Babington, Asst. U. S. Atty., Albuquerque, N. M. (John Quinn, U. S. Atty., Albuquerque, N. M., with him on the brief), for appellee.

Before PICKETT and SETH, Circuit Judges, and BROWN, District Judge.

PER CURIAM.

This is an appeal from an order denying appellant Manning's motion for relief under 28 U.S.C. § 2255. The basic question presented is whether the sentence entered on a plea of guilty is void because the court did not require a mental examination, as authorized by 18 U.S.C. § 4244, prior to accepting Manning's plea of guilty.

Manning was indicted in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico for the interstate transportation of a motor vehicle, knowing it to have been stolen, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2312. Competent counsel was appointed to represent him prior to the entry of his plea. The court's questioning prior to the acceptance of a plea of guilty developed that Manning, at various times during his 26 years of confinement in penal institutions, had been observed for mental instability, including epilepsy. When advised that the court could require a medical determination of his mental condition, Manning insisted that he was "mentally competent in all ways"; that he knew "exactly what is going on"; but, although he knew it was wrong, he did have an "irresistible desire or compulsion to steal". His attorney recognized that Manning was a "very intelligent person", and he knew "what is going on." No motion was made by Manning, or anyone else, for a psychiatric examination. The court, having knowledge of the former psychiatric examinations, explored the matter further upon sentencing. Again Manning maintained that he was competent and strenuously resisted any suggestion that he be examined, as contemplated under Section 4244.

Manning does not now allege or contend that he was insane or mentally incompetent when the plea of guilty was accepted, or when sentence was pronounced. It is argued that the court, having some information indicating possible mental difficulties, could not enter a valid judgment and sentence without a judicial determination of his mental capacity, that therefore the judgment and sentence is invalid and Manning is entitled to immediate release without any further proceedings relating to his mental competency.

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7 cases
  • United States v. Conway, 17369
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — Third Circuit
    • August 19, 1969
    ...v. BeceraSoto, 387 F.2d 792, 795-796 (7th Cir. 1967), cert. den. 391 U.S. 928, 88 S.Ct. 1819, 20 L.Ed.2d 669 (1968); Manning v. United States, 371 F.2d 811, 813 (10th Cir.), cert. den. 387 U.S. 924, 87 S.Ct. 2041, 18 L.Ed.2d 980 We have carefully considered the other contentions made by def......
  • United States v. Marra
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — Second Circuit
    • July 12, 1973
  • State v. Hovey
    • United States
    • Court of Appeals of New Mexico
    • June 6, 1969
    ...is reasonable cause to believe that an accused may be presently insane or otherwise mentally incompetent. * * *' Manning v. United Staes, 371 F.2d 811 (10th Cir. 1967), cert. denied 387 U.S. 924, 87 S.Ct. 2041, 18 L.Ed.2d 980 Section 41--13--3.1, supra, requires there to be a 'question' as ......
  • Wolf v. United States, 676-69.
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — Tenth Circuit
    • October 2, 1970
    ...Wolcott v. United States, 407 F.2d 1149 (10th Cir. 1969), cert. denied, 396 U.S. 879, 90 S.Ct. 156, 24 L.Ed.2d 137; Manning v. United States, 371 F.2d 811 (10th Cir. 1967), cert. denied, 387 U.S. 924, 87 S.Ct. 2041, 18 L.Ed.2d 980. The record discloses that the court before sentencing was p......
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