James Henry Meador, Jr. v. United States

HAMLEY, Circuit Judge.

James Henry Meador, Jr., appeals from a judgment of the District Court for the District of Arizona convicting him of escape from the custody of a federal marshal, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 751 (1958).

Prior to trial Meador’s counsel, proceeding under 18 U.S.C. § 4244 (1958), moved in writing for a judicial determination of the mental competency of the accused to understand the proceedings against him or properly to assist in his own defense. After hearing, and without first causing Meador to be examined as to his mental condition by a qualified psychiatrist, the court…