State v. Odiaga

871 P.2d 801, 125 Idaho 384, 1994 Ida. LEXIS 15
CourtIdaho Supreme Court
DecidedFebruary 3, 1994
Docket19681
StatusPublished
Cited by24 cases

This text of 871 P.2d 801 (State v. Odiaga) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Idaho Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Odiaga, 871 P.2d 801, 125 Idaho 384, 1994 Ida. LEXIS 15 (Idaho 1994).

Opinion

McDEVITT, Chief Justice.

I

BACKGROUND AND PROCEDURE

The essential facts of this case are not in dispute. At approximately 10:00 p.m., June 22, 1990, Mitchel John Odiaga (“Odiaga”) drove a white Oldsmobile into Ketchum, Idaho. Odiaga then shot and killed Gerald “Shenendoa” Wright (“Wright”) and Bruce Schafer (“Schafer”). The shootings occurred within minutes of each other.

Odiaga proceeded to Warm Springs Road, where he exited his car. Jerry Johnson (“Johnson”) was driving down Warm Springs Road, toward Odiaga. Odiaga brought his rifle to bear on Johnson, who dove across the front seat of his car. A bullet from Odiaga’s rifle entered the driver’s-side window of the car, passed over Johnson, and exited through the passenger’s side door.

After driving through two police roadblocks, Odiaga drove his vehicle out of Ketchum, toward Galena Summit. Idaho State Policeman Ross Kirtley followed Odiaga north on Highway 75 toward Galena Summit. Officer Kirtley soon found Odiaga’s vehicle overturned in the barrow pit alongside the road. Odiaga was not in the vehicle.

At approximately 3:80 a.m., June 23, Odiaga approached Gary Perdue, a city marshall from Stanley, at a roadblock on the highway. Odiaga, carrying his rifle, approached Officer Perdue and said “there’s been a terrible accident.” Officer Perdue took the rifle from Odiaga, who did not resist, and placed him under arrest.

Before entering a plea, Odiaga moved for a hearing to determine his competency to stand trial. The State did not contest the contention that Odiaga was not competent and, on September 13, 1990, the trial court entered an order suspending the proceedings. Odiaga was committed to the Director of the Department of Corrections for care and treatment at the Idaho Secure Medical Facility. The court ordered that Dr. Estess, a psychiatrist assigned to the State Board of Corrections, function as a court-appointed doctor, with the power to treat Odiaga. In a letter dated December 14, 1990, Dr. Estess informed the court that Odiaga was competent to stand trial. Odiaga entered a plea of not guilty to all counts of the indictment.

Prior to trial, Odiaga moved the court to order that, if Odiaga lacked the capacity to appreciate his conduct or to conform his conduct with the requirements of the law, he should be acquitted. Odiaga also moved for a post-indictment preliminary hearing. The Court denied both of Odiaga’s motions.

The State then moved to compel a psychiatric evaluation of Odiaga. The State argued that, because Odiaga was relying on psychiatric evaluations as a key part of his defense, the State should be entitled to compel an evaluation under Idaho Code § 18 — 211(5)(d). The trial court granted the State’s motion to *386 compel, ordering that Odiaga’s attorneys could be present during the evaluation, the evaluation would be recorded, and the prosecutors would be prohibited from specifically inquiring into privileged information. If improper or inadmissible information was obtained, the court held that Odiaga could move to suppress it.

On February 28, 1991, Odiaga filed a motion to dismiss the charges against him or, in the alternative, to suppress statements made “to any state agent or evidence derived therefrom” on the grounds that the statements were elicited in violation of Odiaga’s rights under the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments to the United States Constitution. Odiaga argued that various law enforcement personnel denied him access to counsel, and improperly elicited several statements after he invoked his right to counsel. After hearing extensive evidence on this issue, the trial court suppressed the statements Odiaga made to arresting and interrogating officers.

On July 16, 1991, the defense filed a motion asking the court to direct the State to stop administering all antipsychotic and psychotropic medications to Odiaga. The defense reasoned that “the defendant’s demeanor has probative value, and anti-psychotic medication artificially alters his demeanor, thus denying him a fair trial, due process, and the right to effectively be present at trial____” The trial court reserved ruling on the matter, stating that the record indicated medication was necessary for the defendant to be competent to stand trial. Odiaga’s attorney stated that Odiaga would waive his right to be competent at trial if the court granted the motion.

The court later denied the motion from the bench, reasoning that there was no proof of what would happen if Odiaga were to be taken off medication. The court found that, according to Dr. Estess, the only reason Odiaga was presently competent was because of the medication. The court also held that expert witnesses could adequately inform the jury what effect the medication was having on Odiaga’s demeanor.

During the trial, the defense moved to exclude cross-examination and rebuttal regarding Odiaga’s prior acts of violence and illegal drug abuse. The court reserved ruling on the motion in limine, indicating that the issues raised on direct examination would determine the admissibility of the evidence. After Odiaga called and examined Dr. Estess, the State asked the court to rule that they could inquire into Odiaga’s specific acts of violence and drug abuse. The court ruled that issues raised by the defense on direct examination justified admitting the evidence.

The jury returned a verdict finding Odiaga guilty of two counts of second degree murder, one count of attempted first degree murder, and two counts of aggravated assault. The jury found Odiaga not guilty of aggravated or simple assault on the count relating to Officer Perdue. The jury also found that Odiaga used a deadly weapon and/or firearm in the commission of each crime for which he was convicted.

At the sentencing hearing, the court heard testimony from Dr. Estess, Dr. Beaver, Odiaga’s father, a statement from Odiaga, and considered a presentence investigation report. The court then sentenced Odiaga to concurrent minimum determinate life sentences for each second degree murder conviction; an enhanced determinate sentence of thirty years, fifteen years determinate, for the attempted first degree murder conviction, with an additional determinate fifteen year enhancement for use of a firearm or deadly weapon; and enhanced determinate sentences of fifteen years for both counts of aggravated assault, consisting of five years for each aggravated assault conviction and an additional determinate term of ten years for the use of a firearm or deadly weapon on each count. The court ordered that all sentences be served concurrently at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution, and authorized treatment during the period of confinement as prescribed by Dr. Estess or his successor. Odiaga appeals his conviction and sentence.

II

ISSUES ON APPEAL

A. Did the trial court err by denying Odiaga’s motion to be taken off anti- *387 psychotic and psychotropic medications?

B. Does the absence of an insanity defense in Idaho violate the Idaho and United States Constitutions?

C. Did the trial court err by allowing the State to introduce evidence of Odiaga’s prior bad acts?

D.

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Bluebook (online)
871 P.2d 801, 125 Idaho 384, 1994 Ida. LEXIS 15, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-odiaga-idaho-1994.