Opinion
9:22-CR-00038-MAC
06-14-2023
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. XAVIER JEREL LEONARD
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION ON THE DEFENDANT'S COMPETENCY TO STAND TRIAL
CHRISTINE L STETSON, UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b) and the Local Rules for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, this criminal proceeding is before the undersigned United States magistrate judge.
On November 2, 2022, the Defendant filed a motion seeking a psychiatric or psychological exam to determine if the Defendant was suffering from a mental disease or defect rendering him mentally incompetent to the extent he is unable to understand the nature and consequences of the proceedings against him or to assist properly in his defense, and the court granted that motion on November 3, 2022. (Doc. #20, #21.) The Defendant was subsequently evaluated by Dr. Lisa Bellah, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fort Worth, Texas and found competent.
Dr. Bellah's psychiatric report concludes that “[b]ased on the totality of information from available records, current observations of his functioning, and test results, Mr. Leonard does not appear to meet criteria for a mental disease or defect that negatively impacts his ability to adequately understand the nature and consequences of the proceedings against him or to properly assist in his defense, should he choose to do so.” (Doc. #34.)
A competency hearing was conducted on June 13, 2023. At the hearing, the Defendant appeared in court with his counsel, Gary Bonneaux. Mr. Bonneaux did not present any objections to Dr. Bellah's opinion on competency. Neither the Government nor the defense objected to the psychological report's results and findings.
The undersigned concludes that the Defendant is able to understand the nature and consequences of the proceedings against him and to assist properly in his defense. The Defendant has a rational and factual understanding of the proceeding against him, and has sufficient present ability to consult with his attorney with a reasonable degree of rational understanding. 18 U.S.C. § 4241(d); see also Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S. 402 (1960)
RECOMMENDATION
The court should find the Defendant competent to stand trial because he understands the nature and consequences of the proceeding against him and is able to assist in his defense. See 18 U.S.C. § 4241. It is further recommended that the speedy trial time be excluded from November 2, 2022 (the date the Defendant filed an Unopposed Motion for Psychiatric Exam), until the date on which the district judge signs the order adopting this report and recommendation.
OBJECTIONS
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C), each party to this action has the right to file objections to this Report and Recommendation. Objections to this Report must (1) be in writing, (2) specifically identify those findings or recommendations to which the party objects, (3) be served and filed within fourteen (14) days after being served with a copy of this Report, and (4) be no more than eight (8) pages in length. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C); FED. R. CRIM. P. 59(b)(2); E.D. TEX. CRIM. R. CR-59(c). A party who objects to this Report is entitled to a de novo determination by the United States district judge of those proposed findings and recommendations to which a specific objection is timely made. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C); FED. R. CRIM. P. 59(b)(3).
A party's failure to file specific, written objections to the proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law contained in this report, within fourteen (14) days of being served with a copy of this report, bars that party from: (1) entitlement to de novo review by the United States district judge of the findings of fact and conclusions of law, see Rodriguez v. Bowen, 857 F.2d 275, 27677 (5th Cir. 1988), and (2) appellate review, except on grounds of plain error, of any such findings of fact and conclusions of law accepted by the United States district judge, see Douglass v. United Servs. Auto. Ass'n, 79 F.3d 1415, at 1428-29 (5th Cir. 1996) (en banc).