Pate v. Robinson
United States Supreme Court
383 U.S. 375 (1966)
Relevant factsFree
At Robinson's (defendant's) murder trial, his counsel repeatedly asserted he was presently insane, presented his wife's testimony about his mental state, and the prosecutor even suggested calling an examining doctor, yet the trial court never held a competency hearing; after unsuccessful state appeals, Robinson sought federal habeas relief, which the district court denied but the court of appeals ordered reconsidered, and Illinois sought Supreme Court review.
IssueFree
Whether, under Illinois law, a trial judge must conduct a mental competency hearing when the evidence presents a bona fide doubt as to the defendant's sanity.