Cave v. State

585 S.W.2d 149, 1979 Mo. App. LEXIS 3242
Missouri Court of Appeals·Decided October 3, 1979·No. No. 11013·Published·Cited by 6 cases

Opinion

PREWITT, Judge.

Appellant appeals from an order of the Circuit Court of Greene County, Missouri, denying his motion under 27.26, V.A.M.R. to vacate, set aside, or correct his convictions of burglary and stealing. Appellant, on December 1,1977, entered pleas of guilty to burglary in the second degree and to stealing in conjunction with the burglary. On January 4, 1978, appellant was sentenced to three years in the custody of the Division of Corrections on each count, with the sentences to run concurrently.

Our review is limited to a determination of whether the findings, conclusion and judgment of the trial court are clearly erroneous. Rule 27.26(j), V.A.M.R. Only when we are left with a firm conviction that a mistake has been committed are such findings clearly erroneous. Bradley v. State, 564 S.W.2d 940, 943 (Mo.App.1978).

Appellant’s first point is that he did not receive adequate assistance of counsel before his plea of guilty. Once a guilty plea has been entered, the determination of the adequacy of representation is limited to its bearing on the voluntariness and understanding of the plea and its consequences. Giles v. State, 562 S.W.2d 106, 111 (Mo.App. 1977); Haliburton v. State, 546 S.W.2d 771, 773 (Mo.App.1977). Appellant contends that due to inadequate discussion with his attorney, and his attorney’s improper preparation, he had no choice but to plead guilty. He claims that he did not learn of the trial setting until three days before the trial date. At that time no witnesses had been subpoenaed for his defense. The attorney testified that he conferred at least six times in person with appellant and also discussed the matter several times with him by telephone. What would be an adequate time to confer would vary with each case and no particular minimum is required. Haliburton v. State, supra, 546 S.W.2d at 773. The attorney also testified he investigated the charges, determined that the witnesses suggested by appellant would not help, and could be of harm at the trial.

According to the attorney’s testimony, after several previous conferences, they met on November 16, 1977. After discussing the facts of the case, including the possibility that appellant’s former girl friend might testify against him, appellant agreed to plead guilty. They also discussed the range of punishment. Appellant acknowledged that his attorney advised him of the range of punishment and that he was aware of the possibility that he might receive more than two years. At this discussion, the attorney said appellant told him he was guilty and did not want to go to trial. The attorney then talked to the prosecuting attorney’s office and was told that the prosecutor would recommend a sentence of two years on each charge, to run concurrently, and would oppose probation. Appellant and his attorney discussed the prosecution’s recommendation on November 30th. Appellant was unhappy about the opposition to probation and wanted a guarantee that he would receive probation. When his attorney told him that because of his prior felony record, it was doubtful that he could receive probation, but that a request would be made for a presentence investigation report, appellant agreed to go ahead with the guilty plea.

On December 1, 1977, appellant and his attorney appeared in court to withdraw the pleas of not guilty and enter a plea of guilty on both charges. Appellant was not inexperienced in criminal procedure. He has an extensive record of arrests and convictions. He was described by his previous attorney as intelligent. Apparently, at least a part of his problems stems from excessive use of alcohol. He was fifty years old at the time of the plea, had a high school education, and said he was not under [151] the influence of any medication, alcoholic beverage or drug. He further stated that he was satisfied with his attorney’s services and had received all the time he needed to discuss the case with him. He had no complaints regarding his attorney. Appellant acknowledged that he was aware of the range of punishment and that the prosecutor’s recommendations would not be binding on the court. He stated that no one had told him he would be placed on probation or parole and he was pleading guilty because he was guilty to both charges.

Appellant contends that he had no choice but to plead guilty because counsel was not prepared for trial and that there was not sufficient time to prepare when he first learned of the trial setting. There was no evidence to indicate that three days would be inadequate to prepare his defense or what, if any, defense he actually had. Appellant cites and relies on a dissent to a denial of certiorari in Martinez v. Mancusi, 409 U.S. 959, 93 S.Ct. 273, 34 L.Ed.2d 228 (1972). The situation there was not similar to the present facts. There a request for a one day continuance, on the day of the trial, was denied, after an apparent misunderstanding of a plea bargaining agreement. Paced with proceeding to trial immediately, with unprepared counsel, the defendant pled guilty.

In the present case there was ample evidence that counsel investigated the matter, met numerous times with appellant, and properly advised him. The trial court’s finding that inadequacy of counsel was not shown is supported by the evidence. This point is ruled against appellant.

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Cave v. State, 585 S.W.2d 149, 1979 Mo. App. LEXIS 3242 (Mo. Ct. App. 1979).

585 S.W.2d 149 (Cave v. State) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

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