What is the effect of a psychiatrist's report on a defendant's mental state?

The logic behind these decisions is the imbalance created by the official or quasi-official nature given the psychiatrist's report on the defendant's mental capacity to stand trial (People v. Butchino, 13 A.D.2d 183, 215 N.Y.S.2d 321).

The next logical step is to ask, where is this imbalance created? The answer is--in the minds of the jurors. The error sought to be avoided is that of placing 'the substance of the report of the psychiatrist Before the jury by indirection' (People v. Draper, 278 App.Div. 298, 104 N.Y.S.2d 703, affd., 303 N.Y. 653, 101 N.E.2d 763). (emphasis added) That is not the situation here.

The purpose of such a psychiatrist's report is to state to the court the mental condition of the defendant at the time of examination (People v. Leach, supra). This in turn helps the court make the determination as to the defendant's sanity.