Edwards v. State

BOEHM, Justice.

We hold that the record supports a finding by the trial court that the defendant suffered from a severe mental illness to the point where he was not competent to conduct trial proceedings by himself. The denial of the defendant's request to act pro se at trial therefore did not violate either his federal or state constitutional right to self-representation.

Facts and Procedural History

The facts of this case are recited at length in Indiana v. Edwards (Edwards), - U.S. -, 128 S.Ct. 2379, 171 L.Ed.2d 345 (2008), and Edwards v. State, 866 N.E.2d 252 (Ind.2007).

Defendant Ahmad…