Robert Lee Wells v. United States

Appellant was tried and convicted for rape in January 1952 without any question being raised as to his mental competency to stand trial or as to his sanity at the time of the offense. Two weeks later, when appellant appeared for sentencing, the judge expressed doubt of his competency and ordered a psychiatric examination. The psychiatrists found him to be suffering from “undifferentiated psychosis with schizophrenic and psychopathic tendencies.” Ultimately a hearing was held at which the psychiatrists testified and a judicial determination was made that appellant was “presently insane.” He…