Opinion
Criminal Action No. 13-cr-00306-CMA
08-29-2013
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. 1. BRIAN MURRAY Defendant.
Miller Leonard Attorney for Defendant
DEFENDANT'S UNOPPOSED MOTION FOR ORDER AUTHORIZING PSYCHIATRIC
OR PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION FOR THE PURPOSE
OF DETERMINING COMPETENCY
Brian Murray, by and through undersigned counsel, hereby moves this Court for an Order authorizing a psychiatric or psychological examination of the defendant by a certified psychiatrist or psychologist for the purpose of determining whether he suffers from a mental disease or defect, and to thereafter set a hearing to determine his competency to proceed, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 4241(a),(b) and (c), and 18 U.S.C. §4247(b) and (c). In support thereof, the defense states as follows:
I. Procedural History
1. Mr. Murray is charged, by indictment, with one felony count. The charge alleges that Mr. Murray threatened a federal law enforcement officer, Assistant United States Attorney Colleen Covell. He has not been arraigned on this case. 2. At present, Mr. Murray is incarcerated in Florence, Colorado at the ADX and he is serving a federal sentence.
II. Argument
3. Discovery in Mr. Murray's other pending federal case, 13-cr-00058-CMA, contains information indicating that Mr. Murray has a history of mental health problems. Mr. Murray was subject to a Forensic Mental Health Evaluation, conducted by Court Order, in March of 2007 (as part of the federal case for which Mr. Murray is currently serving time). Mr. Murray's Forensic Report indicates that he has been diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, borderline personality disorder, and obsessive compulsive behavior. The Forensic Report also states that Mr. Murray has been treated with thorazine, trazadone, loxitane, fluoxetine, and amitryptiline. 4. It is also noted in the discovery that Mr. Murray has a history of "cutting." This is significant as counsel observed, on August 28, 2013, Mr. Murray to have two deep and large cuts on his forearm. These cuts were, upon information and belief, self-inflicted. Counsel observed Mr. Murray manipulating the cuts and putting his fingers in his wounds. Counsel did not observe Mr. Murray to exhibit any pain while touching his wounds. This behavior was troubling to counsel as the wounds are, at least to a lay observer, deep and painful. 5. Also on August 28, 2013, the Court made counsel aware of various security issues that had arisen with Mr. Murray. According to reports received by counsel, a weapon was found upon Mr. Murray's person and it was the opinion of the United States Marshall Service that Mr. Murray could not be safely brought into court. The Marshall's Service also had safety concerns about the normal visiting room at the District Court for the Federal District of Colorado and, as a result, had counsel meet with Mr. Murray in the holding cells inside the Marshall's Offices. 6. Based upon this information and undersigned counsel's interactions with Mr. Murray on August 28, 2013, undersigned counsel has reason to believe that Mr. Murray may be suffering from a mental disease or defect rendering him mentally incompetent to the extent that he is unable to understand the nature and consequences of the proceedings against him or to assist properly in his defense. The defense requests the Court to order a psychiatric or psychological evaluation for purposes of determining competency. It should be noted that in 13-cr-00058-CMA counsel had sought a competency evaluation and later requested that evaluation be rescinded. The defendant's mental status, however, appears to have changed. "[A] trial court must always be alert to circumstances suggesting a change that would render the accused unable to meet the standards of competence to stand trial." Drope v. Missouri, 420 U.S. 162, 181 (1975). Counsel further asserts that an individual with Mr. Murray's documented history of mental illness who is exhibiting changes in his attitudes and mannerisms is in need of a competency evaluation as mental status is fluid and not static. 7. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 4247(b), and for the purposes of conducting this examination, counsel requests that the defendant be committed to the custody of the United States Attorney General for a reasonable period not to exceed 30 days, unless an extension is appropriately sought pursuant to the provisions of the same statute. 8. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 4247(c), counsel further requests the Court to direct the preparation of a written report and that, once completed, copies of the report be delivered directly to undersigned counsel, the Assistant United States Attorney, and this Court. 9. Counsel further requests that this Court order counsel to contact chambers to set a date for hearing on Mr. Murray's competency. 10. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(1), the defense maintains that the Speedy Trial clock is tolled until such time as a determination of competency is made. 11. The Government has no objection to the request sought above. 12. In addition, because counsel cannot effectively discuss the case and any potential pretrial motions with Mr. Murray until a determination of Mr. Murray's competency has been made, the defense respectfully requests that this Court vacate any pending court dates. 13. This request is for a determination of competency only. No request is being made for an examination pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 4242 and the examination should not delve into any issue other than competency. Respectfully submitted and DATED at Denver, Colorado this, 29th day of August, 2013.
Miller Leonard
Attorney for Defendant
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that this MOTION FOR ORDER AUTHORIZING PSYCHIATRIC OR PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING COMPETENCY was delivered, via the ECF system for the District of Colorado to all parties, this 29th day of August, 2013. Miller Leonard