State v. Guck

490 N.W.2d 34, 170 Wis. 2d 661, 1992 Wisc. App. LEXIS 563

Opinions

EICH, C.J.

Robert L. Guck was charged in Lafayette County with two counts of second-degree sexual assault — intercourse with a person between the ages of twelve and sixteen in violation of sec. 940.225(2)(e), Stats. His attorney petitioned the court to determine his competency to stand trial. The court found Guck competent on the basis of a psychiatric examination and report, and he eventually entered a plea of no contest to the charges. He appeals from the judgment of conviction and sentence and from an order denying his postconviction motions to withdraw his plea and for a new trial.

He argues on appeal that he should be permitted to withdraw his plea because he never validly waived a competency hearing under sec. 971.14(4)(b), Stats.,¹ and that he is entitled to a new trial because he was denied the effective assistance of counsel. We reject both arguments and affirm the judgment and order.

At the time he was charged in Lafayette County, Guck was facing a similar charge involving the same victim in Richland County. He entered a negotiated plea to the Richland County charge and was sentenced to eight years in prison.

Guck then entered a plea of not guilty and not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect in this case. At his attorney's request, competency proceedings were commenced and Guck underwent a psychiatric examination to determine his competency.

The psychiatrist's report concluded that Guck was competent to stand trial, and, through his attorney, he waived further hearing. Then, upon the parties' stipulation, the court ruled him competent. Shortly thereafter Guck and the prosecutor entered into a plea agreement pursuant to which Guck changed his plea to no contest and he was found guilty of the two sexual assault charges. He was sentenced to a total of ten years in prison, to run consecutively to the eight-year Richland County sentence.

Guck filed postconviction motions challenging his waiver of the competency hearing and claiming his trial counsel was ineffective. The trial court denied the motions and Guck appealed. Other facts will be discussed in the body of the opinion.

Waiver of the Competency Hearing

Guck argues that sec. 971.14(4), Stats., requires the court to address him personally and receive his personal waiver of the competency hearing, and, second, that his attorney's waiver on his behalf was ineffective. We disagree.

As noted above, sec. 971.14(4), Stats., requires the court to "promptly determine" the defendant's competency on the basis of the examiner's written report " [i]f the district attorney, the defendant and defense counsel waive their respective opportunities to present other evidence on the issue . . .." When the parties appeared before the tried court on the competency issue, Guck's attorney and the prosecutor stated that they had received the psychiatrist's report and recommendations, and when asked by the court if they were prepared to proceed, the following colloquy occurred:

MR. LYNCH [the prosecutor]: Yes, your Honor .... It is my understanding that the defendant and defense counsel... will waive their respective opportunities to present other evidence at this time as to competency to stand trial.

THE COURT: By that, you mean, then, that the court may make a determination that the defendant is competent to stand trial, to understand the proceedings, and assist and aid in his own defense?

MS. STOLTMAN [defense counsel]: That's correct, Your Honor----1 have received a copy of the competency report. I have shared its content and its conclusions with my client. My client understands that he has the right to request a hearing in which the evaluator could come into court and testify and cross examine and challenge the underlying conclusion. My client at this time, however, understanding those rights, is willing to waive them and will stipulate to the medical opinion that [he] is competent to stand trial....

THE COURT:... I... accept[ ] the stipulation of the parties regarding the report . . . determining] from the stipulation that from [the report] that Mr. Guck [i]s competent to proceed in this matter, to aid and assist in his defense, and that he understands] the proceedings. This is all consistent with the examiner's conclusions. Also, Attorney Stoltman indicated that she discussed with him his right to challenge this, to bring the examiner in, to examine that examiner as to his findings and his conclusions, and that with that understanding he had indicated that he was willing to accept the report and proceed on the basis of [the] finding, which was that he was competent.

A defendant has the right to contest the examination report in competency proceedings. State ex rel. Matalik v. Schubert, 57 Wis. 2d 315, 326, 204 N.W.2d 13, 18 (1973), overruled by State ex rel. Haskins v. Dodge County Court, 62 Wis. 2d 250, 214 N.W.2d 575 (1974), as stated, in Norwood v. State, 74 Wis. 2d 343, 246 N.W.2d 801 (1976), cert. denied, 430 U.S. 949 (1977). In Matalik, the defendant "vigorously objected]" to the report's findings and demanded a hearing, despite his counsel's agreement to proceed summarily. The trial court denied the request and found him incompetent on the basis of the report. The supreme court reversed, holding that a defendant alleged to be incompetent has a due process right to contest the validity of the psychiatric report. Id. at 327, 204 N.W.2d at 19. Following Matalik, the legislature amended sec. 971.14, Stats. — which at that time provided that only the district attorney and defense counsel could contest the report — to read essentially as it does today.

As with all issues of statutory construction, we begin with the language of the statute itself. Marshall-Wisconsin Co. v. Juneau Square Co., 139 Wis. 2d 112, 133, 406 N.W.2d 764, 772 (1987). We note first that the language of sec. 971.14(4)(b), Stats., does not expressly require the court to ask the defendant personally whether he or she, along with counsel, wishes to present other evidence on the issue of competency. It requires only that the state, the defendant and defense counsel waive that right. This may be contrasted with a provision appearing a few lines later in the statute where the legislature has specifically provided for the defendant's personal participation in the process. If an evidentiary hearing is ordered, the statute directs that the judge "shall ask the defendant" whether he or she claims to be competent or incompetent. This suggests to us, as it did to the state, that had the legislature intended to require a personal inquiry by the court regarding waiver, it could have used the very language it chose only a few lines later in the same statute.

We consider it significant also, that here — unlike the situation in Matalik, which, as indicated, the amendment to sec. 971.14(4)(b), Stats., was drawn to meet — Guck did not express any disagreement with the waiver or his attorney's statement to the court indicating that she had gone over the various factors entering into such a waiver with him and that he understood and agreed to the stipulation of competency.

Guck disagrees, arguing that State v. Livingston, 159 Wis. 2d 561, 464 N.W.2d 839 (1991), requires a different result. Livingston involved the waiver of a jury trial under sec. 972.02(1), Stats., which provides for a jury trial in criminal cases "unless the defendant waives a jury in writing or by statement in open court” (emphasis added). The supreme court held that waiver by defense counsel alone, with the defendant remaining silent, was ineffective. Id. at 569-70, 464 N.W.2d at 843.

We do not see Livingston as controlling our decision in this case. First, underlying the Livingston court's decision was the fact that the right sought to be waived was the fundamental constitutional right to trial by jury, whereas in this case we deal only with a statutory right to an evidentiary hearing. Second, the statute in Livingston requires the defendant to "waive [the] jury ... by statement in open court," and here the statute at issue simply provides for waiver by "the district attorney, the defendant and defense counsel." We conclude that Livingston is distinguishable on the facts and does not compel the result Guck urges upon us.

Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

After conviction on his plea, neither Guck nor the prosecutor requested a new presentence investigation. Instead, they relied on the investigation and report prepared in the Richland County case several months earlier, supplemented with other materials which will be discussed in more detail below.

Guck claims that his counsel should have had a new presentence report prepared and should have secured the presence of two expert witnesses, who had testified in the Richland County proceedings, to testify at the sentencing hearing in this case. And he maintains that her failure to do so fell so far below acceptable professional standards as to deny him the right to effective assistance of counsel guaranteed by the constitution.

As indicated earlier, approximately eight months prior to his sentencing in this case, Guck pled guilty to a similar charge (involving the same victim) in Richland County. A presentence report was prepared in that case and, apparently disagreeing with some of its contents, Guck retained two expert witnesses — a psychiatrist, Dr. Charles J. Hodulik, and a sex therapist, Lloyd Sinclair — to "balance the information contained in the presentence investigation" by testimony that his rehabilitative needs would best be met outside a prison environment. As we have also noted, Guck was sentenced to eight years in prison in that case.

Guck testified at his postconviction hearing in this case that he had suggested to his attorney that Hodulik and Sinclair be brought to Lafayette County to appear at his sentencing hearing. He states that counsel told him that would not be necessary because the Richland County sentencing transcript could be made available to the Lafayette County court. However, for reasons that are not apparent, this was not done.

A criminal defendant's right to counsel is guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution and by art. I, sec. 7 of the Wisconsin Constitution. A determination of ineffective representation involves a two-step analysis. We look first to see whether counsel's performance was deficient — whether it coifrported with acceptable professional standards — and, if deficient, we must determine whether the defendant was prejudiced thereby. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984). Representation is not ineffective in the constitutional sense unless both elements of the test are satisfied.

First, the defendant must show that counsel's performance was deficient. This requires showing that counsel made errors so serious that [he or she] was not functioning as the "counsel" guaranteed the defendant by the Sixth Amendment. Second, the defendant must show that the deficient performance prejudiced the defense. This requires showing that counsel's errors were so serious as to deprive the defendant of a fair [trial], a trial whose result is reliable. Unless a defendant makes both showings, it cannot be said that the conviction . . . resulted from a breakdown in the adversary process that renders the result unreliable. State v. Johnson, 133 Wis. 2d 207, 216-17, 395 N.W.2d 176, 181 (1986).

An attorney's performance is not deficient unless it is shown that, "in light of all the circumstances, the identified acts or omissions were outside the wide range of professionally competent assistance." Johnson, 133 Wis. 2d at 217, 395 N.W.2d at 181. In this regard "counsel is strongly presumed to have rendered adequate assistance and made all significant decisions in the exercise of reasonable professional judgment." Id. Finally, as to prejudice, the defendant must show that "there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694.

Prior to sentencing, Guck and the district attorney agreed that the state would recommend probation, and his attorney argued strongly for probation, relying in part on the fact that appropriate treatment would not be available to Guck in prison. In support of the argument, counsel submitted to the court copies of letters from Hodulik and Sinclair outlining their concerns.

Hodulik's letter discusses Guck's problems, his "very positive response" to psychotherapy and medication, and states that because he "no longer presents any danger to society . . . there would seem to be little psychological benefit in punishing him severely at this point." The letter concludes with the opinion that probation, rather than incarceration, would be best for him. The letter from Sinclair similarly summarizes Guck's treátment with him and the progress he had been making — emphasizing that the treatment "has really just begun." The letter states Sinclair's opinion that Guck needs adult "occupational as well as social interactions" and concludes that he "has finally developed a genuine desire to overcome his sexual problems and has the cognitive resources to do so."

We have examined Guck's arguments and assertions on this point and agree with the state that each one is, in substance, covered by the letters. In addition, we note in this regard that Guck's trial counsel testified at the post-conviction hearing as to her reasons for not requesting a new presentence investigation or having Hodulik and Sinclair testify at the Lafayette County sentencing hearing. She stated that because she had introduced Hodulik's and Sinclair's letters, an insanity plea evaluation and the psychiatric report from the competency hearing, she felt that was adequate — especially in light of the fact that "nothing had changed" in Guck's life since the earlier evaluations and reports. She also stated that Sinclair had not seen Guck in some time and that because of an intervening change in Guck's attitude, she felt that Sinclair's opinion, as testified to in the Richland County proceedings, would no longer be valid. Although she conceded that, with the benefit of hindsight, she might have requested a new presentence investigation and "perhaps should have brought in Dr. Hodulik and Mr. Sinclair," second-guessing, or speculating on what tactics or course of action might have worked better, is not the test. "Judicial scrutiny of counsel's performance must.be highly deferential. It is all too tempting for a defendant to secondguess counsel's assistance after conviction or adverse sentence ...." Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689.

We will not indulge any such temptation here. Under all applicable standards, and according due deference to defense counsel's tactical and representational choices, we conclude that Guck has not established that counsel's performance was constitutionally deficient. As we have noted, the main point Guck wanted to make at the sentencing was that, for a variety of reasons, his treatment needs would not be met if he were sentenced to prison; and he complains that his attorney's "failures" prevented him from making that point. But that is not borne out by the record. While thinking after-the-fact that perhaps she could have done more, Guck's trial counsel felt at the time that the point could be made from the available materials, without a replacement presentence investigation and without the need to call Hodulik and Sinclair to testify. And she was able to make that point strongly enough to cause the court to state at one point in its sentencing remarks: "Much has been made about the unavailability of appropriate counseling services for [Guck] in the prison system." It thus appears that counsel did in fact put forth and argue the primary point on which Guck rests this appeal; it is not grounds for reversal that the result sought — probation, rather them incarceration — was not forthcoming.

By the Court — Judgment and order affirmed.

1 Section 971.14, Stats., governs competency proceedings. If reason to doubt a defendant's competency exists, the court will order an examination by one or more experts and the preparation of a report on the defendant's condition. Under sec. 971.14(3), the report is to contain, among other things, the examiner's clinical findings and an "opinion regarding the defendant's present mental capacity to understand the proceedings and assist in his or her defense."

Upon receipt of the report, the court provides copies to the district attorney and defendant's attorney. Section 971.14(4)(b), Stats., provides that" [i]f the district attorney, the defendant and defense counsel waive their respective opportunities to present other evidence on the issue, the court shall promptly determine the defendant's competency . . .." The section further provides that, "[i]n the absence of these waivers, the court shall hold an evidentiary hearing on the issue."