State v. Merchant

Defendant pled guilty to felony lewd and lascivious conduct and violation of conditions of release. He appeals the Windsor District Court’s denial of his motion for a mental health screening and motion for a competency evaluation arguing that the court was required to order a mental health screening at defense counsel’s request pursuant to IB V.S.A. § 4815(d), and that the court should have ordered a competency evaluation because there was reason to believe the defendant may have been incompetent. Defendant further appeals the trial court’s denial of his motion to withdraw the plea and…