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United States v. Haley, 4th Cir. (1998)
United States v. Haley, 4th Cir. (1998)
No. 97-4689
he pled guilty he did not know what he was saying because of his
medical condition.
During his plea hearing, however, Haley testified that although he
had taken medication prescribed by his physician within twenty-four
hours of the hearing, it did not have an affect on his ability to understand what was going on at the plea hearing. He further testified that
he understood what was happening. Haley's counsel testified that he
did not have any concern as to whether the medications Haley had
been prescribed affected his ability to understand what was happening
during his conversations with his counsel and the Government. We
note that while Haley's health may have improved between the time
that he pled guilty and the hearing on his motion to withdraw his
guilty plea, there was no evidence that at the time he pled guilty he
was unable to understand the proceeding.
Medical evidence as to Haley's health is also consistent with the
district court's finding that Haley was competent to enter a guilty
plea. Prior to entering into the plea agreement, Haley was examined
by medical experts at the South Carolina Department of Mental
Health and a report of that examination was sent to the district court.
The report stated that Haley suffered from Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia and an Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety and medication
has helped control his panic attacks. The report further stated that
Haley was "alert, cooperative, oriented to time place and person and,
mildly restless without movement disorder." Lastly, the report stated
that "Haley's cognition was grossly intact." The FCI report prepared
after Haley pled guilty confirmed that he suffered from a long history
of Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia. The report stated that Haley was
"awake, alert, and oriented appropriately," and did not display any
abnormal involuntary movements, abnormal speech, looseness of
associations, nor did he appear to be in acute distress. The report's
psychological evaluation revealed that Haley "was not suffering from
a severe psychological problem."
The evidence further contradicts Haley's claim that he pled guilty
in exchange for receiving proper medical treatment. Haley testified at
the July 3 hearing that during his incarceration prior to entering the
guilty plea he received medication to control his panic disorder. Furthermore, Haley's counsel testified at the July 3 hearing that he never
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