State v. Lopez

OPINION

PAYNE, Justice.

Defendant was convicted of burglary. He appealed the conviction, claiming the trial court erred in failing to submit to the jury the issue of whether he was competent to stand trial. The Court of Appeals reversed the decision and the State petitioned for writ of certiorari. We reverse the Court of Appeals and affirm the decision of the trial court.

Prior to trial, the defendant raised the issue of his competency to stand trial. A psychiatric examination was ordered by the court. The psychiatrist stated that in his expert opinion defendant was competent to stand trial.…