Thornton v. State

PRITCHARD, Presiding Judge.

The dispositive issue is whether there was reversible error in the trial court’s failure to make findings of fact and conclusions of law as to appellant’s alleged incompetency to stand trial upon a charge of manslaughter for which he was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. No appeal was taken upon the judgment of conviction.

Appellant’s appointed counsel raised the defense of mental disease or defect under § 552.030, RSMo 1969, and appellant was thereafter examined at the State Hospital in Fulton by Doctors Gary Justice and Henry Bratkowski. Both doctors participated…