Harold Lindsay De Freece, Appellant v. the State of Texas, Appellee

Summary

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals reversed the Court of Appeals and remanded for a new trial, holding that the trial court erred in denying the appointment of a psychiatric expert to assist the defense under Ake v. Oklahoma when insanity was a significant factor. The court explained that the statutory scheme of disinterested experts is insufficient and that due process requires a defense‑side psychiatrist to aid in evaluation, preparation, and presentation of the insanity defense.