People v. Henderson

¶1Defendant, originally charged with armed robbery,1 pled guilty to an added charge of larceny from the person.2 Prior to the entry of his plea, defendant, upon motion of his counsel, was ordered committed to a diagnostic facility for the purpose of determining his competency to stand trial.3 The report submitted by the examining institution concluded that defendant was competent to stand trial, but also recommended that,

¶2“the trial be expedited since a prolonged stay in the jail setting may facilitate decompensation in this defendant”.

¶3The court subsequently found defendant competent to stand trial; proceedings culminated with defendant’s conviction upon his plea, and his subsequent sentencing.

¶4The only argument raised by defendant on appeal is that the court below erred in not, sua sponte, inquiring again into defendant’s competency when his plea of guilty was offered. This argument is based on the recommendation of the examining institution, supra, and on the fact that defendant was incar*588cerated for 56 days between the date the report was submitted and the taking of defendant’s plea.

¶5We cannot accept this argument. First, defendant, on appeal, does not attempt to demonstrate that his condition deteriorated between his examination and his conviction. Second, after examining’ the record we find that nothing transpired to indicate defendant was incompetent to stand trial. And, third, at defendant’s sentencing, his counsel indicated he had been cooperative both with counsel and .the probation authorities.

¶6In circumstances such as this, the trial court should be alert for any sign of deterioration on the part of the defendant. However, from the record before us, we see no indication of any such incident. The fact of the elapse of 56 days standing alone is an insufficient basis on which to require the court to reopen the question of defendant’s competency.

¶7Affirmed.