Medina v. California

Medina (plaintiff) was charged with multiple murders in California (defendant), and before trial his counsel sought a competency hearing under a state statute presuming defendants competent and placing the burden on the party claiming incompetence to prove it by a preponderance of the evidence. After hearing conflicting expert testimony, the jury found Medina competent, and he was convicted and sentenced to death; on appeal Medina argued placing the burden of proof on him violated due process, the state supreme court affirmed, and the U.S. Supreme Court granted certiorari.