State v. Gokey

¶ 1. Defendant Randall Gokey appeals from his conviction by a jury for lewd or lascivious conduct with a child. He was found to have been convicted previously of three other felonies, was adjudged to be a habitual offender, and received a sentence of twenty years to life. He argues on appeal that the trial court made numerous, substantial errors when considering his competency to stand trial. Because the lower court stepped outside its role as impartial arbiter during the course of the trial, we reverse and remand for a new trial.

¶ 2. Defendant was charged by the State with alleged acts he…