United States v. Simpson

E. GRADY JOLLY, Circuit Judge:

Eldridge Simpson was indicted for various federal crimes, including, inter alia, conspiracy to traffic in narcotics, membership in a criminal enterprise, murder and attempted murder. Simpson was provided two court-appointed lawyers, Sheila Myers and Julian Murray, but he persistently refused to cooperate with them. They argued that this behavior demonstrated that he was incompetent. The district court, after hearing the testimony of several doctors at five competency hearings, held that Simpson was competent.

Simpson twice requested the appointment of substitute…