United States v. Samuel Turner

Filing

OPINION FILED - THE COURT: WILLIAM JAY RILEY, DUANE BENTON and BOBBY E. SHEPHERD. Duane Benton, Authoring Judge (PUBLISHED) [3806426] [10-2524]

United States Court of Appeals
FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT

___________
No. 10-2524
___________
United States of America,
Appellee,
v.
Samuel Turner,
Appellant.

*
*
*
* Appeal from the United States
* District Court for the
* Eastern District of Missouri.
*
*
*
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Submitted: April 11, 2011
Filed: July 12, 2011
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Before RILEY, Chief Judge, BENTON, and SHEPHERD, Circuit Judges.
___________
BENTON, Circuit Judge.
A jury convicted Samuel T. Turner of being a felon in possession of a firearm
or ammunition in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). Turner represented himself at
trial and sentencing before the district court.1 On appeal, he argues that he was
mentally incompetent to proceed pro se both at trial and sentencing. Having
jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291, this court affirms.

1

The Honorable Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr., United States District Judge for the
Eastern District of Missouri.

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I.
In July 2009, ATF agents obtained two search warrants, for Turner’s home in
Kennett, Missouri, and a storage unit rented by Turner. Officers went to Turner’s
home. After Miranda warnings, Turner agreed to speak with them. A search of the
home revealed nothing of evidentiary value. Turner gave the officers a key to the
storage unit. A search found a variety of ammunition, including shotgun shells and
both .30-30 and .22 caliber rounds. Turner agreed to go to the police station for an
interview.
Turner initially denied that the ammunition in the storage unit was his,
explaining that some items there belonged to others, including his girlfriend (who had
a key). After repeated denials, he offered to share information about drug dealers.
The officers told him that they could not believe him until he was honest about the
ammunition. Turner admitted he got the ammunition from his brother-in-law, adding
that he had stored a handgun in a red shoe in the storage unit. He agreed to another
search of the storage unit, signing a consent-to-search form. Upon arrival, Turner
walked into the unit and pointed out the pair of red shoes with the handgun. An
officer picked them up, finding a .22 caliber revolver and a box of ammunition.
Turner admitted obtaining the handgun from the same brother-in-law, and correctly
stated that it was loaded. He said he had fired it once the previous week. An officer,
opening the cylinder of the revolver, found five live rounds of ammunition and one
spent round.
The handgun was examined by a DNA criminalist at the Missouri State
Highway Patrol. She determined that the handgun had the combined DNA of at least
two persons, but that the DNA was degraded. She testified that the DNA from the
handgun shared some DNA markers with Turner, who could not be excluded as a
person who touched the revolver.

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In December 2009, Turner was indicted for being a felon in possession of a
weapon or ammunition. The Federal Public Defenders Office was appointed to
represent him. In a Pretrial Services Report to the court, Turner stated that he had
been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in connection with a 2006 state
prosecution and had been hospitalized previously in a mental health facility. He
further said that he had been prescribed medication for his schizophrenia, but had not
received it since his arrest three months earlier. In January 2010, Turner appeared
with his attorney and waived his right to file pretrial motions; he later filed three pro
se motions, which were denied. The case was set for a jury trial on April 5, 2010.
Three days before trial, Turner appeared before the district court and requested
to represent himself. The district court immediately inquired:
Court: Do you have any question - - any reason to question the
defendant’s mental capacity to proceed?
Mr. Skrien [Defense Counsel]: Your Honor, there is some history as to
diagnoses of mental illness on Mr. Turner’s part. However, it’s
my belief in having conversations with him that he understands.
You know, when we talk about his case he asks relevant
questions, has relevant concerns. Obviously, I would prefer that
he retain me, I be allowed to continue to represent him. I think
that is just generally in a defendant’s best interest.
Court: So I take it you do not have any reason to question his
competency?
Mr. Skrien: No, sir.
The district court then discussed with Turner his request to proceed without counsel:
Court: All right. Well, Mr. Turner, why is it that you want to represent
yourself instead of having the benefit of excellent counsel?
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Mr. Turner: I feel like I can defend myself.
Court: I’m sorry.
Mr. Turner: I feel like I’m able to best defend myself.
Court: Okay. Well, I strongly disagree with you on that because you
don’t know the rules of procedure and I have to - - you have to
understand that you will be bound by the rules of evidence and
you’ll be bound by the rules of procedure and you don’t know
those rules. Do you understand what I’m saying?
Mr. Turner: Yes, Your Honor, I understand.
Court: Mr. Skrien does and, furthermore, he’s investigated this case, he
has prepared the case for trial. He is -- he is fully prepared
altogether to represent you in a competent and effective manner
and you’re telling me that you do not want him to represent you.
Mr. Turner: Is there some capacity that I could retain Mr. Skrien as I
proceed pro se?
Court: You could proceed with Mr. Skrien as your lawyer or you
proceed pro se.
Mr. Skrien: Your Honor -Court: As I understand it you are asking for hybrid counsel or
representation and I might do that in a capital case but I’m not
going to do that in a case like this.
Mr. Turner: So it’s not necessary then, Your Honor.
The district court and Turner then discussed his current counsel:
Court: All right. Now you understand that you have this right to
counsel?
Mr. Turner: Yes, Your Honor.

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Court: And do you have any specific complaints about the way Mr.
Skrien has represented you? I have not heard you say anything
about that.
Mr. Turner: Mr. Skrien doesn’t feel that I have good defense.
Court: Well, that doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s not representing you
in a competent and professional manner.
Mr. Turner: If he doesn’t feel I have a defense and he’s my defense
attorney, I don’t have a defense.
Court: Well, you’re entitled to a trial and he is bound to represent you in
this case and he will represent you in this case and he will defend
you in this case.
Mr. Turner: I understand, Your Honor. I’m still persuaded to proceed
pro se.
The District Court inquired further about Turner’s counsel:
Court: Well, Mr. Turner, it does appear that you are making an informed
decision, you know you have this right to counsel. Mr. Skrien has
investigated the case and is prepared to go to trial. Is that right,
Mr. Skrien?
Mr. Skrien: Yes, Your Honor.
Court: And he will present whatever defenses are available to you.
Correct?
Mr. Skrien: Yes, sir, Your Honor.
Court: And he does, unlike you, understand the rules of evidence and the
rules of procedure so I strongly encourage you to use Mr. Skrien
as your counsel in this case but I know I can’t force you to do that.
You are entitled under the law to represent yourself, and so are
you telling me that’s what you want to do?
Mr. Turner: Yes, Your Honor. Mr. Skrien doesn’t feel I have a defense.

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Court: Well, you have a defense in the sense that you are entitled to a
jury trial and that the jury must be convinced beyond a reasonable
doubt that you are guilty. And so his defense is that he will hold
the government to the proof; correct, Mr. Skrien?
Mr. Skrien: Yes, sir, Your Honor.
Court: You understand what I’m saying?
Mr. Turner: Yes, Your Honor.
The district court then made its findings that Turner was competent and that he could
represent himself. The court made one last appeal:
Court: Finding that you are competent, this is an informed decision that
you are making, I’ll order Mr. Skrien to turn over your complete
file to Mr. Turner with all of your investigation and any notes that
you have and any preparation that you have but and then the jury
instructions you’ll need to give directly to Mr. Turner.
Government: I provided a copy already to Mr. Skrien, but I will make
sure those are done.
Court: All right. Just one more time, Mr. Turner. You will be at the
distinct disadvantage for the reasons that I’ve stated and are you
sure that you want to represent yourself in this trial?
Mr. Turner: Yes, I am, Your Honor.
Court: All right. We’ll proceed at nine o’clock Monday morning with
pretrial conference and short jury selection at 9:30.
On April 5, 2010, the case was tried to a jury. Before the jury was called, the
district court instructed Turner when and where to stand, and which microphone to
use. The district court commented that Turner had some experience with the criminal
justice system and that this was a fairly straightforward case. Turner requested that
the rule on witnesses be imposed, and the government agreed to sequester its
witnesses outside the courtroom.
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Turner conducted his voir dire examination after the government completed its
questioning. Beginning voir dire, Turner told the district court that in contrast to the
government’s questions, his questions would be “more along just a moral basis. I
don’t have any particular questions as to the case, just moral.” The court said “That’s
fine.”
Turner then asked the venire a series of religiously-based questions, asking
them to raise their hands if they agreed. Most of these questions were objected to by
the government. Turner asked whether they believed that Jesus forgives sins. He
asked whether their sins were forgiven; the government objected and the objection
was sustained. He asked whether Matthew was a saint; an objection was sustained.
He asked whether they believed that God will return; an objection was sustained. He
asked whether they had made a mistake in their lives and whether they believed in
salvation. He asked whether a soul can overcome death and whether their lives were
in God’s hands. Objections to those two questions were sustained. Turner asked if
a man can change his mind and if they believed that a man is permitted to change his
mind if he made a mistake. He asked whether the blood of Jesus washes away sin; an
objection was sustained. He asked if God’s forgiveness was complete, without
conditions.
Turner followed with a request for all the venirepersons who had not raised
their hands in response to the prior question (whether God’s forgiveness was
complete) to now raise their hands so he could know who they were. Jurors 4, 8, 9,
14, 15 and 32 raised their hands. He asked them what they would do if God “does not
wait for another year,” and whether any of the jurors had been saved. Objections to
those questions were sustained, and Turner rested. He requested that Juror 4 be struck
for cause, citing “a lack of moral obligation.” That request was denied. After the
Government struck six jurors, Turner used only four of his ten peremptory strikes,
striking Jurors 8, 9, 15 and 21.

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Turner’s opening statement was: “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I stand
before you evident, accused and convicted but through - - but before my Father in
Heaven, through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s blood, I am innocent, without
guilt and shame. All right. Thank you.”
The government presented six witnesses. Turner used several objections to
begin cross-examination or argue that his recollection differed from the witness’s.
Turner cross-examined an ATF agent about his recollection of the discovery of the
firearm, especially as to its location and whether Turner was near the weapon when
he pointed it out to the officers. Turner asked whether the agent had spoken with him
on the telephone about a drug investigation and whether he was assisting in that
investigation. Turner did not question the next witness. Turner cross-examined the
third witness, a city police officer, whether the officer had heard if the ATF agent had
offered any benefits to Turner for cooperating by revealing information on drug
trafficking. The next witness, also a city police officer, was cross-examined as to
whether Turner had been a jail trusty, performed odd jobs around the jail during his
incarceration, served a full term for his sentence, and made any attempts to escape.
The DNA expert was cross-examined on whether it was possible to determine how
many people touched the gun found in the storage unit.
After the government completed its case-in-chief, Turner did not testify or
present any other evidence. He told the district court that this decision was his own,
against the advice of his previous attorney. As far as Turner was concerned, his
defense was going quite well—he told the court: “It’s unbelievable, Your Honor, but
I have to believe I will win.” Turner’s closing argument was:
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, which of you are without sin. He that
have no sinful transgression let him judge first. I stand before this Court
evident accused and convicted but before my Father which is in Heaven,
through my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ blood I am found innocent,
without guilt and shame. Which of you is without mercy? He shall have
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judgment without mercy and mercy rejoices against judgment. Thank
you Your Honor.
The jury deliberated for 20 minutes and returned a guilty verdict.
Turner appeared for sentencing three months later, again pro se. The
presentence investigation report (“PSR”) verified that he suffers from schizophrenia
and had not been taking his prescribed medication to control it before trial or
sentencing. The PSR indicated that Turner’s mental disability was severe enough for
him to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. According to the PSR, he had
been hospitalized for mental illness, and found competent to proceed to trial in a 2006
case. The PSR reported that during a psychiatric evaluation in 2007, Turner said he
heard voices that convinced him his cellmate was Moses and he “needed to assault
Moses in order to quell a power struggle between God and Moses.” Turner did not
object to the PSR. At sentencing, the district court did not ask him any questions
about his waiver of counsel for purposes of sentencing, his competency to be
sentenced, or his competency to proceed pro se.
The Sentencing Guidelines range was 188-235 months, based on a total offense
level of 33 and a criminal history category of IV. Turner was subject to a mandatory
minimum sentence of 180 months as an Armed Career Criminal because of
convictions for three violent felonies. See 18 U.S.C. § 924(e). The district court
varied downward to the mandatory minimum and imposed a sentence of 180 months,
finding that fifteen years was “more than enough” to satisfy 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). As
a condition of supervised release, the court ordered that Turner participate in a mental
health program. This appeal followed.

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II.
Turner challenges the district court’s determination that his waiver of counsel
was voluntary, knowing, and intelligent. Turner says that the district court did not
sufficiently question him about his competency to proceed pro se. He also argues that
the district court erred by failing to require a higher level of competency to represent
himself than to stand trial. Finally, Turner contends the district court erred by not sua
sponte ordering a competency hearing during trial in response to his bizarre behavior.
A.
This court reviews de novo a district court’s decision to allow a defendant to
proceed pro se. United States v. Washington, 596 F.3d 926, 935 (8th Cir. 2010). The
Sixth Amendment guarantees a criminal defendant the right to self-representation
along with the right to the assistance of counsel. Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806,
818-821 (1975); Adams v. United States ex rel. McCann, 317 U.S. 269, 279 (1942)
(noting that “the Constitution does not force a lawyer upon a defendant.”). Even
though a defendant may conduct his own defense to his detriment by relinquishing the
benefits associated with the right to counsel, his choice must be honored. Faretta, 422
U.S. at 834. “For this reason, in order to represent himself, the accused must
knowingly and intelligently forgo those relinquished benefits. . . . [He] should be
made aware of the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation, so that the record
will establish that he knows what he is doing and his choice is made with eyes open.”
Id. at 835 (internal quotations marks and citations omitted).
The right to self-representation, once invoked, is not absolute. Indiana v.
Edwards, 554 U.S. 164, 171 (2008). Before permitting a defendant to exercise the
constitutional right to proceed pro se, the trial court must be satisfied that the waiver
of counsel is knowing and voluntary. See Godinez v. Moran, 509 U.S. 389, 400
(1993). “Warnings of the pitfalls of proceeding to trial without counsel . . . must be
rigorously conveyed.” Iowa v. Tovar, 541 U.S. 77, 89 (2004) (internal quotation
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marks omitted); see also Shafer v. Bowersox, 329 F.3d 637, 647 (8th Cir. 2003)
(“[T]he Supreme Court has clearly established that the presiding court must inquire
into [the defendant’s] understanding of the right and must warn him of the dangers
involved in order to ensure that he has full knowledge of the consequences” of
proceeding pro se). The adequacy of the waiver depends on the particular facts and
circumstances of each case, including the background, experience, and conduct of the
accused. Edwards v. Arizona, 451 U.S. 477, 482 (1981); Johnson v. Zerbst, 304
U.S. 458, 464 (1938). However, “the competence that is required of a defendant
seeking to waive his right to counsel is the competence to waive the right, not the
competence to represent himself.” Godinez, 509 U.S. at 399; see also Tovar, 541 U.S.
at 89 (noting that “a defendant need not himself have the skill and experience of a
lawyer in order competently and intelligently to choose self-representation.”) (internal
quotation marks and citation omitted).
Before permitting a defendant to waive counsel, the trial court must be satisfied
that the defendant is competent to stand trial. See Godinez, 509 U.S. at 400. Due
process prevents the trial of a defendant who lacks mental competency. Drope v.
Missouri, 420 U.S. 162, 171-72 (1975). Competency to stand trial requires the ability
to understand the nature of the proceedings, to consult with counsel, and to assist
counsel in preparing a defense. Id. at 171. In order to make a determination of
competency, the district court should consider the behavior, demeanor, and prior
psychiatric history of the defendant. Griffin v. Lockhart, 935 F.2d 926, 930 (8th Cir.
1991).
Turner argues that the district court erred when it did not conduct a sufficiently
penetrating and comprehensive examination into his competency or his waiver of
counsel, either for trial or sentencing. Turner contends the district court erred by not
addressing the statutory minimum and maximum sentences he faced, or conveying a
more in-depth explanation of trial procedures, the basic rules of cross-examination,
and the purpose of objections. Turner admits that the district court fulfilled its duty
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to warn him of the dangers of giving up his right to counsel, but asserts it failed to
make an assessment of his ability to understand the decision to waive counsel. For
example, when Turner impliedly asked for standby counsel and the district court
stated, “I might do that in a capital case but I’m not going to do that in a case like
this,” Turner responded “So it’s not necessary then, Your Honor.” He argues this
exchange shows he completely failed to grasp the district court’s meaning (that it was
not required by law to appoint standby counsel for him), believing the court was
indicating that he did not need standby counsel to help him in the trial because he was
capable of handling the case alone. Turner further faults the district court for assuring
him his case was “a fairly straightforward case,” when the evidence at trial included
the complicated “combined” DNA evidence and a possibly coercive interrogation by
law enforcement.
The government responds that Turner voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently
waived his right to be represented by counsel after being thoroughly advised by the
district court of the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation. According to
the government, the entire record reflects that Turner knew and understood those
dangers and disadvantages, and that the district court properly determined that he was
competent and relied on his attorney’s representations that he was competent. The
government argues there was no evidence before the court that Turner suffered from
a severe mental illness that would prevent him from representing himself.
The district court committed no error in finding Turner’s waiver was knowing
and voluntary. When he first indicated a desire to proceed pro se, he and the district
court discussed for several minutes why he wanted to represent himself. The district
court emphasized that it was a bad idea, and assured itself that his decision was not
based on any shortcomings in his appointed counsel. Turner, no stranger to the
criminal justice system, was told how his ignorance of the rules of procedure and
evidence would prejudice his defense, and that his appointed counsel was far better
positioned to put the government to its burden. While Turner might desire to have
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been better informed on various aspects of trial procedure and the range of his
potential sentence, a defendant’s “technical legal knowledge” is “not relevant to an
assessment of his knowing exercise of the right to defend himself.” Faretta, 422 U.S.
at 836.
In the course of his argument, Turner faults the district court for failing to
follow the formal “requirements” and “obligations” for a valid waiver of counsel,
invoking United States v. Washington, 596 F.3d 926, 935 (8th Cir. 2010). There, the
defendant did not challenge the adequacy of the warnings the district court gave,
which this court called “sufficient.” Washington, 596 F.3d at 942. True, the district
court advised Washington of the charges and the range of penalties that he faced,
outlined trial procedures that he would have to follow if pro se, and explained the
basic rules of cross-examination and the purpose for objections. Id. at 936-37.
However, neither the Supreme Court nor this court has ever adopted a list of essential
points that must be conveyed to a defendant in order for a waiver of counsel to be
deemed knowing and voluntary. This precise argument was considered in United
States v. Kiderlen, where this court rejected the idea that a valid waiver of the right to
counsel must invariably be accompanied by specific warnings about the range of
possible punishments, possible defenses, and lesser included offenses. See United
States v. Kiderlen, 569 F.3d 358, 364, 366-67 (8th Cir. 2009) (noting that the “key
inquiry” is “whether the accused was made sufficiently aware of his right to have
counsel and of the possible consequences of a decision to forgo the aid of counsel.”)
(quoting Meyer v. Sargent, 854 F.2d 1110, 1114 (8th Cir. 1988)).
This court upholds the grant of a defendant’s motion to represent himself “if the
record shows either that the court adequately warned him or that, under all the
circumstances, he knew and understood the dangers and disadvantages of
self-representation.” Kiderlen, 569 F.3d at 364 (internal quotation marks and citation
omitted). The district court adequately warned Turner of the dangers of

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self-representation, and did not err in finding that he understood them and knowingly
waived his right to counsel.
Turner also argues that the district court should have been alerted to the need
for a more thorough evaluation of his mental competency before allowing him to
proceed pro se, citing: 1) counsel’s reference to “some history as to diagnoses of
mental illness” in opining that he had no reason to question Turner’s competency; 2)
a Pretrial Services Report detailing that Turner had previously been diagnosed with
paranoid schizophrenia and hospitalized in a mental health facility; and 3) Turner’s
remark that arguably indicates he failed to understand the district court’s statement
about the possibility of standby counsel.2
Based on the entire record, the district court did not err in the depth of its
assessment of Turner’s competency. Learning that Turner wished to proceed pro se,
the district court immediately asked appointed counsel whether there was “any reason
to question the defendant’s mental capacity.” Counsel replied that while there was a
past diagnosis of mental illness, he thought Turner was competent based on their
conversations about his case. Counsel noted that “he understands,” and “asks relevant
questions, has relevant concerns.” The court, evidently desiring clarification, asked
point-blank: “So I take it you do not have any reason to question his competency?”
Counsel replied “No, sir.” The court then pressed Turner for an explanation of why
he wanted to represent himself. After speaking with him for several minutes about the
decision, the district court explicitly found that he was competent and was making an
informed decision to waive counsel. “Trial counsel’s opinion should receive
significant weight since ‘[c]ounsel, perhaps more than any other party or the court, is
2

Turner does not argue on appeal that he should have been given standby
counsel. See United States v. Ladoucer, 573 F.3d 628, 634 (8th Cir. 2009) (noting
that “there is no constitutional difficulty where the defendant is provided the real
alternative of choosing between adequate representation and self-representation.”)
(quotation omitted).
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in a position to evaluate a defendant’s ability to understand the proceedings.’” United
States v. Denton, 434F.3d 1104, 1112 (8th Cir. 2006) (quoting Balfour v. Haws, 892
F.2d 556, 561 (7th Cir. 1989)). The district court was in the best position to assess
Turner’s competency. See Indiana v. Edwards, 554 U.S. at 177 (noting that “the trial
judge . . . will often prove best able to make more fine-tuned mental capacity
decisions, tailored to the individualized circumstances of a particular defendant.”).

B.
Turner contends that the district court erred in failing to explicitly make
findings on whether he satisfied the higher standard of competency required to
proceed pro se, as opposed to the lower competency required to stand trial. This court
reviews for clear error a district court’s finding that a defendant is competent to stand
trial or waive his right to counsel. United States v. Ghane, 490 F.3d 1036, 1040 (8th
Cir. 2007). A district court’s decision not to order a competency evaluation or hold
a competency hearing is reviewed for abuse of discretion. Washington, 596 F.3d at
941.
Turner asserts that his diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia and his trial
behavior demonstrated that he lacked the capacity to conduct trial or sentencing
proceedings by himself. See Indiana v. Edwards, 554 U.S. at 174-78 (ruling that the
Constitution permits states to insist upon representation by counsel “for those
competent enough to stand trial but who still suffer from severe mental illness to the
point where they are not competent to conduct trial proceedings by themselves.”);
Massey v. Moore, 348 U.S. 105, 108 (1954) (“One might not be insane in the sense
of being incapable of standing trial and yet lack the capacity to stand trial without
benefit of counsel.”).

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The government counters that the two competency standards are collapsed in
the absence of a “severe mental illness.” See United States v. Berry, 565 F.3d 385,
391 (7th Cir. 2009) (noting that under Edwards, “‘[s]evere mental illness’ appears to
be a condition precedent” on a trial court’s ability to force counsel upon the
unwilling). The government concludes that the record indicates Turner was fully
competent, so the district court did not need to make separate findings on Turner’s
capacities to stand trial and represent himself.
This court’s decision in United States v. Washington resolves this
issue—without adopting a “severe mental illness” test to proceed pro se, or sorting out
“severe” mental illnesses from mild. This is not a situation where counsel was foisted
on Turner; the district court explicitly found him mentally competent. Accordingly,
“while a defendant must be competent in order to proceed pro se, Edwards does not
require that a trial judge: (1) conduct an inquiry into the competency of every
defendant who requests to proceed pro se, or (2) hold a hearing prior to making a
competency determination.” Washington, 596 F.3d at 941; see also Indiana v.
Edwards, 554 U.S. at 177-78 (stating that “the Constitution permits judges to take
realistic account of the particular defendant’s mental capacities by asking whether a
defendant who seeks to conduct his own defense at trial is mentally competent to do
so,” but declining “to adopt . . . a more specific standard.”). “Whether a competency
evaluation is warranted is a determination within the discretion of the district court.”
United States v. Crawford, 487 F.3d 1101, 1105 (8th Cir. 2007). Edwards clarified
that district court judges have discretion to force counsel upon the discrete set of
defendants competent to stand trial but incompetent to represent themselves.
Washington, 596 F.3d at 941. It does not mandate two separate competency findings
for every defendant who seeks to proceed pro se.
Further, it is not at all clear that the district court’s competency finding was
confined solely to Turner’s mental fitness to stand trial. The context of his colloquy
with the district court was not a hearing to determine Turner’s competency to stand
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trial; it was his request to waive counsel and proceed pro se. Accordingly, the district
court’s explicit finding of competency was likely directed toward Turner’s
competency to represent himself—particularly where the finding was immediately
followed by the district court indicating that Turner’s appointed counsel should turn
over his case files to Turner so that he could review them over the weekend before
trial began.
In these circumstances, where none of the parties, including Turner or his
attorney, sought any sort of inquiry into his competency, and the district court had the
opportunity to observe and interact with him at length, the district court committed no
error by failing to explicitly make a finding on Turner’s competency to proceed pro
se, and did not abuse its discretion in failing to order a mental evaluation before trial.
C.
Turner claims the district court erred by not sua sponte ordering a competency
hearing after observing his behavior at trial. This court reviews for clear error a
district court’s finding that a defendant is competent to stand trial or waive his right
to counsel. Ghane, 490 F.3d at 1040.
Due process prevents the trial and conviction of a defendant who is mentally
incompetent, and requires that a hearing be held whenever evidence raises a sufficient
doubt about the mental competency of an accused to stand trial. Vogt v. United
States, 88 F.3d 587, 590 (8th Cir. 1996); see also 18 U.S.C. § 4241(a)-(b) (stating that
a court “shall order” a competency hearing upon its own motion if “there is reasonable
cause to believe” a defendant is not competent and that a court “may order” a
psychological evaluation prior to such a hearing). “Whether a competency evaluation
is warranted is a determination within the discretion of the district court.” Crawford,
487 F.3d at 1105. Even when a defendant is competent beginning a trial, the district
court must remain alert during trial to any indication that the defendant is unable to
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meet the standard of competency to stand trial. Ghane, 490 F.3d at 1041. Even if, in
an individual case, no facts clearly show incompetency, a district court should pay
attention to any irrational behavior, the defendant’s demeanor during trial, available
medical evaluations, and whether trial counsel questioned the defendant’s
competency. Vogt, 88 F.3d at 591. However, not every manifestation of mental
illness demonstrates incompetency to stand trial. Id. Neither low intelligence, mental
deficiency, nor “bizarre, volatile, and irrational behavior” compels a finding of
incompetency. Id.
Turner argues that early in his trial, his behavior should have alerted the district
court to his incompetency to represent himself. During voir dire, he asked many
questions that manifested a hyper-religiosity inappropriate to the courtroom. His
questions included: “Can you testify that your sins are forgiven? . . . Is Matthew a
Saint? . . . If you believe God will return, raise your hand. . . . If you believe a soul can
overcome death, raise your hand. . . . Do you believe the blood of Jesus washes away
sins, raise your hands. . . .” He asserts that his actions during trial provided further
evidence of his lack of competency to proceed pro se. He made opening and closing
statements that focused on his innocence through the blood of Jesus Christ. He stated
to the court near the end of trial, “It’s unbelievable, Your Honor, but I have to believe
I will win”—after he presented no defense to the government’s evidence that he led
police officers to his storage unit and pointed out the weapon and ammunition. He
argues these circumstances, coupled with his previous diagnosis of mental illness,
outweighed the fact that he was polite and not disruptive during trial.
The government argues there was “no evidence to cause the District Court to
doubt Turner’s competency,” as “Turner did not exhibit irrational behavior at trial.”
The government does not explain how his opening and closing arguments, sprinkled
with references to Jesus, were part of his trial strategy. However, the government
contends that his voir dire was conducted in order to obtain a jury sympathetic to him.
The government emphasizes that many of Turner’s questions sought to identify
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potential jurors who believed in forgiveness, second chances, and the idea that people
make mistakes and then change—essentially an attempt at jury nullification. The
government believes that given the strength of the evidence, finding a sympathetic
jury was a logical trial strategy. The government also emphasizes that his
cross-examination of the various government witnesses—in contrast to his voir dire
questions—was devoid of references to religion, instead focusing on the evidence and
the witness’s recollection of events. He attempted to undermine the credibility of the
government’s witnesses (implying that the police offered him benefits to become an
informant) and portray himself in a good light (eliciting that he had been a trusty and
performed odd jobs around the jail during a prior incarceration).
The district court did not abuse its discretion in failing to sua sponte order a
competency hearing during Turner’s trial. While Turner did act in ways that appear
bizarre or irrational, such behavior does not invariably compel a finding of
incompetency. Vogt, 88 F.3d at 591. His demeanor was polite and respectful at all
times.
He invoked the rule on witnesses leaving the courtroom, used
cross-examination to his benefit, and tried on several occasions to appeal to the jurors’
consciences in an attempt for them to “forgive” him by finding him not guilty. The
district court—in the best position to observe Turner after interacting with him at
length—did not find Turner incompetent to continue with trial, and the evidence does
not raise doubts sufficient to find an abuse of discretion. Cf. Washington, 596 F.3d
at 941 (noting the deference owed to the district court’s determinations based on its
observations of the defendant) (citation omitted).

D.
Turner also argues that after receiving his PSR, the district court should have
ordered a competency hearing before allowing him to represent himself at sentencing
because the PSR’s information indicated that his irrational statements during trial were
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not merely religious rhetoric or passionate beliefs, but symptoms of mental illness.
The PSR verified that Turner suffers from schizophrenia and had not been taking his
prescribed medication to control this condition before trial or sentencing. It indicated
that his mental disability was severe enough for Social Security Disability benefits.
The PSR stated that Turner had been hospitalized for his mental illness. It noted that
during a psychiatric evaluation in 2007 Turner reported having heard voices involving
his need to “quell a power struggle between God and Moses.”
Turner received the minimum sentence possible. Any error in failing to order
a competency review for sentencing is thus harmless, as the district court was without
power to impose a more lenient sentence than the mandatory minimum. See
Crawford, 487 F.3d at 1108.
* * * * * * *
The judgment of the district court is affirmed.
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