People v. Sprague

716 N.W.2d 559, 474 Mich. 1137

• Court: Michigan Supreme Court
• Decided: May 5, 2006
• Docket: 130136
• Status: Published

Opinion

716 N.W.2d 559 (2006) 474 Mich. 1137

PEOPLE of the State of Michigan, Plaintiff-Appellee,
v.
Rickie Gene SPRAGUE, Defendant-Appellant.

Docket No. 130136. COA No. 265210.

Supreme Court of Michigan.

May 5, 2006.

On order of the Court, the application for leave to appeal the November 15, 2005 order of the Court of Appeals is considered and, pursuant to MCR 7.302(G)(1), in lieu of granting leave to appeal, we REVERSE the August 31, 2005 order of the Genesee Circuit Court denying defendant's motion to withdraw plea, and REMAND this case to the Genesee Circuit Court for resentencing. If the circuit court chooses not to follow the prosecutor's sentence recommendation, defendant will be allowed to withdraw from the plea agreement. MCR 6.302(C)(3).

We do not retain jurisdiction.

YOUNG, J., concurs and states as follows:

I concur in the order remanding this case to the Genesee Circuit Court for resentencing because the plain language of MCR 6.302(C)(3) compels it. However, I question the reasoning and analytical underpinnings of the court rule, which is a codification of People v. Killebrew, 416 Mich. 189, 330 N.W.2d 834 (1982).

In this case, defendant pleaded guilty in exchange for a prosecutorial sentencing recommendation. The prosecution fulfilled its end of the agreement, recommending a sentence of probation with drug counseling. However, because the sentencing judge did not follow the nonbinding recommendation, our court rules mandate that defendant be permitted to withdraw a voluntarily, knowingly, and willingly entered guilty plea.

I cannot understand why a guilty plea given in exchange for a prosecutorial sentencing recommendation is vitiated by the court's disinclination to follow the recommendation. More important, I do not understand the rationale of Killebrew that a defendant, having obtained the benefit of a bargain with the prosecutor, can withdraw his plea when a court refuses to follow the recommendation. People v. Cobbs, 443 Mich. 276, 505 N.W.2d 208 (1993), was decided after Killebrew and undermined the rationale underpinning Killebrew. The principles that make withdrawal possible under similar circumstances in a Cobbs plea, where the court is a party to the plea agreement, have no applicability in a Killebrew plea. I welcome the opportunity to address the reasoning and rationale of the Killebrew decision, and favor amending MCR 6.302(C)(3).

CORRIGAN, J., joins the statement of YOUNG, J.

WEAVER, J., would grant leave to appeal.