Fields v. State

In Estelle v. Smith, 451 U.S. 454, 101 S.Ct. 1866, 68 L.Ed.2d 359 (1981), a Texas .capital murder defendant was examined by a psychiatrist who had been ordered by the trial court to evaluate the defendant’s competency to stand trial. At the time of the examination, the defendant had been indicted and an attorney had been appointed for him. Before the psychiatric examination, the defendant was not informed he had a right to remain silent nor that evidence obtained during the examination could be used against him in the punishment phase of his trial. His attorney apparently was not notified in…