Knox v. State

On April 20, 2001, Jimmy Paul Knox was convicted of first-degree robbery, a violation of § 13A-8-41(a)(1), Ala. Code 1975. The trial court sentenced him, as a habitual felony offender, to life in prison.See § 13A-5-9(c)(3), Ala. Code 1975. This appeal followed.

Approximately four months before trial, the trial court granted Knox's request for a mental evaluation to determine whether he was sane at the time of the crime and whether he was competent to stand trial. However, as discussed in more detail below, on the day of the mental evaluation, the sheriff's deputy who was assigned to transport…