William A. Greenfield v. J. P. Gunn, Warden

After a jury trial in California superior court, William Greenfield was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon, a violation of Cal. Penal Code § 245 (a) (West 1970). The state appellate court affirmed. After unsuccessfully attempting to obtain collateral relief in the state courts, Greenfield petitioned for federal habeas corpus. Following an evidentiary hearing, the district court rejected the petition and denied the writ. We affirm.

Greenfield first argues that he was denied a hearing to determine his competency to stand trial. We interpret Greenfield’s claim as alleging that the competency proceedings conducted in the state court prior to trial denied him due process. At Greenfield’s arraignment on the assault charge, defense counsel reminded the presiding judge, Judge Calcagno, that he had ruled on Greenfield’s competency to stand trial one month earlier. The previous charge, for an alleged drug offense, had been dismissed, but two psychiatrists had first examined Greenfield. Judge Calcagno had ruled that Greenfield was competent to stand trial. On being advised of the earlier question about Greenfield’s competency, the court granted the defense motion pursuant to Cal.…