Commonwealth v. Simpson

Insistent upon his sanity, the defendant, Simpson, conducted his own defense, aided by “stand-by” counsel. A jury found him guilty, among other things, of mayhem and of *155assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to murder.1 Simpson’s appeal, as briefed, is susceptible of summary disposition in the Commonwealth’s favor (see the Appendix to this opinion), but the record raises grave questions whether Simpson was mentally competent to stand trial and competent to assist in (let alone manage) his defense. We decide, particularly on the basis of what Simpson said in his opening statement, Iris…