In the New Mexico Legislature's 1995 session, Sen. Duncan Scott, a Republican
from Albuquerque, proposed an amendment to a psychologist regulatory bill
offered by another senator. The Scott amendment would have dramatically
changed the face of New Mexico's legal system:
The amendment said: ``When a psychologist or psychiatrist testifies during a
defendant's competentcy hearing, the psychologist or psychiatrist shall wear a
cone-shaped hat that is not less than two feet tall. The surface of the hat
shall be imprinted with stars and lightning bolts.
``Additionally, a psychologist or psychiatrist shall be required to don a
white beard that is not less than 18 inches in length, and shall punctuate
crucial elements of his testimony by stabbing the air with a wand. Whenever a
psychologist or psychiatrist provides expert testimony regarding a defendant's
competentcy, the baliff shall contemporaneously dim the courtroom lights and
administer two strikes to a Chinese gong.''
The bill, with the wizard amendment, passed the Senate by voice vote and
cleared the House 46-14. Unfortunately, Gov. Gary Johnson vetoed the
legislation.