Alcott v. State

In Alcott v. State, 51 S.W.3d 596 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001), the court of criminal appeals found that the trial court was within its discretion when it failed to sua sponte order a competency hearing based on the defendant's claim that he could not remember the events leading up to his arrest. A pretrial examination had been conducted by a doctor who concluded that Alcott was competent to stand trial even though he took prescription drugs for mental illnesses, including personality disorder, dementia, memory problems, and depression. Id. at 598. During the sentencing phase, Alcott could not remember whether the enhancement allegation was true and had several outbursts. Id The court found that none of these instances raised a "bona fide doubt." Id.