Ex Parte Gordon

The defendant, Patricia Gordon, appealed from a denial of her motion for a psychiatric examination. She maintains that she was at trial, and still is, incapable of "aiding or assisting" her attorney in the preparation of a defense. We reverse and remand.

Gordon was charged with theft of property in the first degree. She pleaded guilty to the theft charge following the trial court's denial of her motion for a psychiatric examination. She was convicted. She appealed to the Court of Criminal Appeals, arguing that it was error to deny her motion. That court affirmed her conviction and later denied…