State v. Burkhardt

607 N.W.2d 512, 258 Neb. 1050, 2000 Neb. LEXIS 55
Nebraska Supreme Court·Decided March 17, 2000·No. S-99-727·Published·Cited by 15 cases

Opinion

Wright, J.

NATURE OF CASE

Pursuant to a plea agreement, Jeffrey Burkhardt pled guilty to one count of manslaughter (count I) and one count of use of a *1051 firearm to commit a felony (count II). Burkhardt was convicted and sentenced to 15 to 20 years’ imprisonment on count I and 12 to 30 years’ imprisonment on count II, the sentences to be served consecutively. Burkhardt appeals his conviction on count II and asserts that the sentences he received are excessive.

SCOPE OF REVIEW

Sentences within statutory limits will only be disturbed by an appellate court if the sentence complained of was an abuse of judicial discretion. State v. Bartholomew, ante p. 174, 602 N.W.2d 510 (1999).

FACTS

As a result of plea negotiations, an agreement was entered into between the State and Burkhardt which provided that in exchange for pleas of guilty on both counts, the State would amend its charge of first degree murder to manslaughter and would file no further charges. Thus, the third amended information charged Burkhardt in count I with manslaughter, in violation of Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-305(1) (Reissue 1995), and in count II with use of a firearm to commit a felony, in violation of Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-1205(1) (Reissue 1995).

On April 22, 1999, while represented by counsel, Burkhardt pled guilty to the third amended information. The trial court determined that a factual basis had been established; the plea agreement had been explained; and the plea was knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily made. A presentence investigation was ordered, and on May 27, Burkhardt appeared with counsel for sentencing.

On June 3, 1999, Burkhardt filed a motion for new trial on count II (use of a firearm to commit a felony). The motion requested that the trial court vacate the conviction and sentence imposed on count II. On June 4, the State filed a motion to enforce the plea agreement which alleged, inter alia, that as a result of negotiations with Burkhardt’s counsel, a plea agreement was entered into by the parties which provided that in exchange for pleas of guilty on both counts, the State would amend count I from first degree murder to manslaughter and would file no further charges. The State alleged that by Burkhardt’s seeking to vacate his conviction on count II, he was in default of the plea agreement.

*1052 The State also filed a motion to quash Burkhardt’s motion for new trial on the basis that Burkhardt had waived any complaints regarding the information by pleading guilty to the charges, thereby waiving any defect which was not jurisdictional and which could be raised by a motion to quash or a plea in abatement. In addition, the State moved to quash Burkhardt’s motion for new trial because it was not filed within 10 days after the trial court accepted Burkhardt’s plea and entered a judgment of conviction, as required by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-2103 (Reissue 1995).

On June 9, 1999, the trial court overruled the State’s motions . to quash, declared moot the State’s motion to enforce the plea agreement, and overruled Burkhardt’s motion for new trial as to count II. On June 15, Burkhardt gave notice of his intention to appeal from the judgments of conviction and sentences and the order overruling his motion for new trial as to count II.

ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR

On appeal, Burkhardt assigns as error (1) that the trial court erred in refusing to vacate the conviction and sentence on count II of the information, since the underlying felony in count I is an unintentional crime, and therefore, there was no proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Burkhardt knowingly and purposely used a weapon for the purpose of committing manslaughter and (2) that the court erred in imposing excessive sentences despite substantial mitigating circumstances.

ANALYSIS

Burkhardt argues that the trial court erred in refusing to vacate the conviction and sentence on count II. He argues that since the underlying felony in count I is an unintentional crime (manslaughter), there is no proof that he used a weapon for the purpose of committing manslaughter. We do not reach this assignment of error, because Burkhardt pled guilty to both counts and has waived any such argument or defect.

In order to accept a defendant’s plea of guilty, the trial court must determine that the plea is voluntarily and intelligently made by the defendant. To make this determination, the court must question the defendant about certain facts and must also advise the defendant of certain rights to which the defend *1053 ant is entitled. To support a finding that a plea of guilty has been entered freely, intelligently, voluntarily, and understandingly, a court must inform a defendant concerning (1) the nature of the charge, (2) the right to assistance of counsel, (3) the right to confront witnesses against the defendant, (4) the right to a jury trial, and (5) the privilege against self-incrimination. The record must also establish a factual basis for the plea and that the defendant knew the range of penalties for the crime charged. State v. Paul, 256 Neb. 669, 592 N.W.2d 148 (1999). See, also, State v. Louthan, 257 Neb. 174, 595 N.W.2d 917 (1999). When this information has been disseminated, the court may accept the defendant’s plea of guilty.

Once a plea of guilty has been accepted, the defendant waives every defense to the charge. All defects not raised in a motion to quash are taken as waived by a defendant pleading the general issue. State v. Roucka, 253 Neb. 885, 573 N.W.2d 417 (1998). The voluntary entry of a guilty plea or a plea of no contest waives every defense to a charge, whether the defense is procedural, statutory, or constitutional. State v. Trackwell, 250 Neb. 46, 547 N.W.2d 471 (1996).

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State v. Burkhardt, 607 N.W.2d 512, 258 Neb. 1050, 2000 Neb. LEXIS 55 (Neb. 2000).

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