The appellant appealed a finding of Not Criminally Responsible (NCR) for assault causing bodily harm, arguing his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to explain the consequences of an NCR finding and that the trial judge erred by not conducting a plea inquiry.
The Superior Court of Justice found that while the trial judge erred in failing to conduct a plea inquiry for a proceeding that was the functional equivalent of a guilty plea, no miscarriage of justice occurred.
The court rejected the ineffective assistance of counsel claim, finding trial counsel had properly advised the appellant, and concluded there was ample psychiatric evidence to support the NCR finding.
The appeal was dismissed.
