Wilson v. Commonwealth

839 S.W.2d 17, 1992 Ky. App. LEXIS 171, 1992 WL 163955
Court of Appeals of Kentucky·Decided July 17, 1992·No. No. 91-CA-1080-MR·Published·Cited by 4 cases

Opinion

JOHNSON, Judge.

This is an appeal from a Jefferson Circuit Court order denying shock probation to the appellant, Aginon Wilson. On or about July 22, 1989, Wilson attacked Sheila M. Alexander Claycomb. Appellant “slashed” Ms. Claycomb with a piece of glass inflicting multiple cuts on her face, arms, and chest. Appellant was indicted by the Jefferson County Grand Jury for one count of assault in the second degree (KRS 508.020). Subsequently, appellant entered into a plea agreement with the Commonwealth whereby he would plead guilty to assault in the second degree and the Commonwealth would recommend the minimum sentence of five (5) years while taking no stand on probation. On October 24, 1990, the plea agreement was signed by Hon. Thomas Faulkner, Jefferson County Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, on behalf of the Commonwealth, Hon. Anne Penn Hardy as counsel for appellant, and appellant. A “Motion to Enter Guilty Plea” was also signed by Ms. Hardy and appellant on that date. Jefferson Circuit Judge Ken G. Corey accepted appellant’s guilty plea on October 24, and Judge Corey then passed the case to Jefferson Circuit Judge Edwin A. Schroering for sentencing. The “Judgment on Guilty Plea” dated October 25, 1990, was signed by Judge Schroer-ing.

On December 12,1990, Judge Schroering held a sentencing hearing at which attorneys Faulkner and Hardy were present along with Ms. Claycomb, Claycomb’s spouse, and appellant. The Commonwealth asserted that it had no stand on probation; however, it informed the court that the victim, Ms. Claycomb, was present and willing to answer any questions asked by the court. Judge Schroering made an inquiry regarding restitution. Appellant did not at the time of sentencing nor on appeal object to Judge Schroering’s discussion with the Commonwealth and Ms. Claycomb at the sentencing hearing. Ultimately, appellant’s motion for probation was denied, and a five-year sentence was imposed.

Appellant filed a timely motion for shock probation, and on April 17, 1991, Judge Schroering held a hearing on the motion. Present at the hearing were Hon. Ruthanne Whitt, Jefferson County Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, on behalf of the Commonwealth, Hon. Sandra J. Ar-buckle on behalf of appellant, Ms. Clay-comb and appellant. After appellant presented his argument for shock probation, Judge Schroering inquired as to the Commonwealth’s and the victim’s positions. At that time both the Commonwealth and Ms. Claycomb argued against shock probation. Counsel for appellant objected to the Commonwealth’s stated opposition and Ms. Claycomb’s testimony claiming that both had violated the plea agreement. The record indicates that Judge Schroering was under the impression that probation was not covered under the agreement. Both counsel for the Commonwealth and counsel for appellant attempted to inform the court that probation was covered under the agreement. Although the Commonwealth agreed that probation was covered under the plea agreement, it argued that shock probation was not covered. However, a study of the record suggests that the court nonetheless proceeded under the assumption that probation was not covered by the agreement. The mistake was compounded by the fact that counsel for appellant was proceeding under the erroneous belief that Ms. Claycomb had signed-off on the plea agreement. The judge stated that he always considered the plight of the victim when assessing punishment. Further, the judge, operating under the belief that the Commonwealth had not bargained away in the plea agreement its right to oppose shock probation, considered the Commonwealth’s argument against shock probation. Appellant’s Motion for Shock Probation was overruled by a final order of the Jefferson Circuit Court entered April 22, 1991.

In reviewing this matter we must first examine the terms of the plea agreement. The Commonwealth utilized a standard form to draft the plea agreement. The section entitled “Recommendation on a Plea of Guilty (Plea Agreement)” contained a holographic entry which stated “5 [19]*19YEARS, NO STAND ON PROBATION”.1 Clearly, the Commonwealth agreed to fore-go its right to object to probation. This appeal concerns the effect of the plea agreement on both the rights of the Commonwealth and the rights of the victim. The issue as to the rights of the Commonwealth which we will consider first, is whether probation includes shock probation.

The Commonwealth asserts that shock probation and probation are distinct concepts. The underpinning of the argument is the fact that shock probation and other forms of probation are covered under different chapters of the Kentucky Revised Statutes. Furthermore, the Commonwealth asserts that the procedural steps for granting shock probation differ from other forms of probation, so it is of a distinctly different character.

The Commonwealth’s position is contrary to the legislative scheme. KRS Chapter 533 is titled “Probation and Conditional Discharge” (Emphasis added.). KRS Chapter 439 is titled “Probation and Parole” (Emphasis added.). Clearly, the Commonwealth’s argument that Chapter 533 serves as the sole governing statutory authority on probation is in error. Obviously, Chapter 439 also governs probation. The difference between the two chapters can be easily explained.

There are two ways to place a person on probation. There is probation at sentencing, and there is shock probation which follows sentencing. The distinction between the two methods is based on timing. KRS 533.020(1) provides:

When a person who has been convicted of an offense or who has entered a plea of guilty to an offense is not sentenced to imprisonment, the court shall place him on probation if he is in need of the supervision, guidance, assistance, or direction that the probation service can provide. Conditions of probation shall be imposed as provided in KRS 533.030, but the court may modify or enlarge the conditions or, if the defendant commits an additional bffense or violates a condition, revoke the sentence at any time prior to the expiration or termination of the period of probation. (Emphasis added.)

KRS 439.265(1) provides,

Subject to the provisions of KRS Chapter 439 and Chapters 500 to 534, any Circuit Court may, upon motion of the defendant made not earlier than thirty (30) days nor later than one hundred eighty (180) days after the defendant has been incarcerated in a county jail following his conviction and sentencing pending delivery to the institution to which he has been sentenced, or delivered to the keeper of the institution to which he has been sentenced, suspend the further execution of the sentence and place the defendant on probation upon terms the court determines. Time spent on any form of release following conviction shall not count toward time required under this section. (Emphasis added.)

In each instance the trial court has the ability to place a defendant on probation. KRS 533 discusses application of probation prior to sentencing, while KRS

Wilson v. Commonwealth, 839 S.W.2d 17, 1992 Ky. App. LEXIS 171, 1992 WL 163955 (Ky. Ct. App. 1992).

839 S.W.2d 17 (Wilson v. Commonwealth) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

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