Timothy Britton v. Commonwealth of Kentucky ( 2015 )

IMPORTANT NOTICE
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED OPINION
THIS OPINION IS DESIGNATED "NOT TO BE PUBLISHED."
PURSUANT TO THE RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE
PROMULGATED BY THE SUPREME COURT, CR 76.28(4)(C),
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RENDERED: JUNE 11, 2015
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED
Soupmu &ant of r'ifirttfurkv
2014-SC-000659-TG
(2013-CA-001732-MR)
TIMOTHY BRITTON APPELLANT
ON APPEAL FROM HOPKINS CIRCUIT COURT
V. HONORABLE JAMES CLAUD BRANTLEY, JUDGE
NO. 12-CR-00204
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY APPELLEE
MEMORANDUM OPINION OF THE COURT
AFFIRMING
Timothy Britton pled guilty to numerous drug and robbery charges
stemming from two indictments. Prior to sentencing, Britton filed a motion to
withdraw his guilty plea, which the trial court denied. Following the plea
agreement's recommendation, the court sentenced Britton to ten (10) years'
imprisonment on the charges in each indictment, with terms to run
consecutively for a total of twenty (20) years. On appeal, Britton makes two
arguments: (1) that his guilty plea was not entered voluntarily or (2) that, in
the alternative, the trial court abused its discretion when it denied his motion.
For the following reasons, we affirm.
I. BACKGROUND.
A Hopkins County grand jury brought charges against Britton through
two indictments, which were eventually merged. Under case number 12-CR-
151, Britton was charged with the felonies of manufacturing
methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of
methamphetamine precursor, and possession of anhydrous ammonia with the
intent to manufacture methamphetamine, as well as several misdemeanors. If
convicted, Britton faced more than twenty (20) years in prison. Under case
number 12-CR-204, Britton was charged with the felonies of manufacturing
methamphetamine, sodomy in the first degree, three (3) counts of robbery in
the first degree, robbery in the second degree, and burglary in the first degree,
as well as the misdemeanors of possession of burglary tools and carrying a
concealed deadly weapon. If convicted, Britton faced twenty to fifty (20-50)
years or life in prison.
Assisted by his attorney, Britton mediated both indictments with the
Commonwealth before Special Judge David Jernigan on February 14, 2013.
After several hours, the parties reached an agreement. Under 12-CR-151,
Britton agreed to plead guilty to manufacturing methamphetamine, possession
of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine precursor, and
possession of anhydrous ammonia with the intent to manufacture
methamphetamine. In exchange, the Commonwealth agreed to dismiss the
misdemeanors and recommend a sentence of ten (10) years' imprisonment.
Under 12-CR-204, Britton agreed to enter an Alford plea to manufacturing
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methamphetamine, possession of burglary tools, carrying a concealed deadly
weapon, and the amended charges of wanton endangerment in the first degree,
burglary in the second degree, and four (4) charges of robbery in the second
degree. The Commonwealth agreed to recommend a sentence of ten (10) years'
imprisonment to run consecutively with the sentence under 12-CR-151 for a
total of twenty (20) years.
As part of the agreement, Britton would be eligible for parole after serving
twenty percent (20%) of his sentence, rather than eighty-five percent (85%) if he
were convicted of the original charges. Also, because the Commonwealth
agreed to dismiss the sodomy charge, Britton would not be required to register
as a sex offender.
That same day, Britton entered his plea of guilty before the trial court
and agreed under oath that: his participation in the mediation was voluntary
and he did not feel coerced, threatened, or forced to participate; he believed the
process was fair and he was treated fairly by all parties to the mediation; and
he had a sufficient opportunity to discuss his options with his attorney during
mediation. Britton's attorney stated that: he had explained the elements of all
the charges and potential defenses to Britton; Britton understood his rights;
and the plea was consistent with his advice. The Commonwealth then read the
combined plea agreement into the record.
The trial court proceeded to conduct a Boykin colloquy, during which
Britton stated that: he was forty-three (43) years old; he had an eleventh (11th)
grade education; he had never been treated for a mental illness; he was not
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under the influence of alcohol or any other drug; and his judgment was not
impaired in any way. Based on the preceding, the trial court found Britton
mentally competent to enter the plea. Britton agreed that: he understood the
nature and consequences of all the charges and that by pleading guilty the trial
court, not a jury, would set his sentence; he had been afforded all the time he
needed to discuss his case with his attorney and that he had disclosed
everything that might be relevant to any defense. Britton did not make any
complaints about his attorney.
In regard to 12-CR-151, Britton acknowledged that he understood the
Commonwealth's evidence in support of the charges, and he admitted that he
engaged in the charged conduct. With respect to 12-CR-204, Britton stated he
understood the meaning and significance of an Alford plea. Finally, Britton
agreed that: by pleading guilty he was waiving his right to a jury trial and his
right to appeal; no threats or promises had been made to him causing him to
plead guilty; and his plea was being made willingly, freely, and voluntarily.
• With the assistance of his attorney, Britton reviewed all the plea forms and
signed each of them. The trial court accepted Britton's guilty plea and found
that the plea had been entered willingly, freely, and voluntarily and that Britton
made a knowing and intelligent waiver of his rights.
Almost two and a half months later and prior to sentencing, Britton filed
a motion to withdraw his guilty plea in case number 12-CR-204. The trial
court held a hearing on the motion on June 25, 2013. During the hearing,
Britton argued he entered the plea involuntarily because of the nature of the
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merged indictments. The trial court denied the motion to withdraw the guilty
plea and ultimately sentenced Britton to the aggregate agreed to sentence of 20
years' imprisonment.
II. ANALYSIS.
As noted above, Britton raises two arguments on appeal. We address
each separately below.
A. The Trial Court Did Not Err When It Found Britton's Guilty Plea Was
Entered Voluntarily.
A trial court may accept a guilty plea upon a determination, on the
record, that the plea was voluntarily and intelligently made, "with sufficient
awareness of the relevant circumstances and likely consequences." Porter v.
Commonwealth, 394 S.W.3d 382, 385 (Ky. 2011) (quoting Brady v. Maryland,
373 U.S. 83, 83 S. Ct. 1194, 10 L. Ed. 2d 215 (1963)); RCr 8.08. Prior to
sentencing, when a defendant moves to withdraw his or her guilty plea, the
court must hold a hearing to determine whether the plea was entered
voluntarily. Porter, 394 S.W.3d at 385. If the court finds the plea was
involuntary, it has no discretion and must grant the motion to withdraw. Id. at
385-86. However, if the trial court determines the plea was voluntary, it may
deny the motion to withdraw according to its discretion. Id.
When determining whether a guilty plea is voluntary, intelligent and
made with sufficient awareness, the trial court considers the totality of the
circumstances surrounding the plea. Bronk v. Commonwealth, 58 S.W.3d 482
(Ky. 2001). Thus, the trial court is in the best position to make this inherently
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factual inquiry which requires considering the defendant's demeanor,
background and experience, as well as, any indication of "reluctance,
misunderstanding, involuntariness, or incompetence to plead guilty." Id. at
487. Sworn declarations by the defendant in open court that his or her guilty
plea is made voluntarily are not conclusive, but they do "'carry a strong
presumption of verity."' Johnson v. Commonwealth, 412 S.W.3d 157, 168 (Ky.
2013) (quoting Edmonds v. Commonwealth, 189 S.W.3d 558, 569 (Ky. 2006)).
Accordingly, an appellate court reviews a trial court's finding regarding
voluntariness for clear error, that is, whether the determination was supported
by substantial evidence. Porter, 394 S.W.3d at 386.
In this case, the trial court's finding of voluntariness is supported by
substantial evidence. The trial court placed Britton under oath and, in open
court and on the record, conducted a thorough exam of both Britton and his
attorney to determine the voluntariness of Britton's plea. Britton admitted that
he understood the nature of all the charges, the potential defenses, and the
result of his plea of guilty; he made a full and knowing waiver of his rights; and
he agreed that the plea was being made willingly, freely, and voluntarily and
that it was not a product of threats or promises. Britton indicated that he had
sufficient time to discuss his case with his attorney and had no complaints
with his representation. Britton's attorney submitted to the court that Britton
understood his rights and that a guilty plea was consistent with his advice.
Moreover, the trial court specifically explained the difference between the two
indictments and between the standard guilty plea and the Alford plea. Finally,
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the court went beyond the Boykin requirements when it inquired into the
mediation process. As noted above, Britton agreed that his participation in
mediation was voluntary and that he believed the process and negotiations
were fair. Because substantial evidence exists to support the trial court's
finding of voluntariness, no clear error exists.
B. The Trial Court Did Not Abuse Its Discretion When It Denied
Britton's Motion To Withdraw Guilty Plea.
Despite finding that a guilty plea is voluntarily entered, "[a]t any time
before judgment the court may permit the plea of guilty or guilty but mentally
ill, to be withdrawn and a plea of not guilty substituted." RCr 8.10;
Rodriguez v. Commonwealth, 87 S.W.3d 8, 10 (Ky. 2002) (emphasis added). It
is well established that an appellate court reviews a trial court's ruling on a
motion to withdraw for abuse of discretion or whether it was arbitrary,
unreasonable, unfair, or unsupported by sound legal principles. Porter, 394
S.W.3d at 386; Edmonds, 189 S.W.3d at 570.
Here, the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it denied Britton's
motion to withdraw. The trial court properly held a hearing and considered
written and oral arguments from Britton and the Commonwealth. The trial
court reviewed the record and specifically recalled Britton's voluntary plea
affirmations. Moreover, the agreement was freely negotiated and fair to Britton
for three reasons: (1) he received a sentence of twenty (20) years' imprisonment
instead of the life sentence he could have received; (2) he reduced his parole
eligibility from eighty-five percent (85%) to twenty percent (20%); and (3) he will
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not be required to register as a sex offender. The denial of Britton's Motion to
Withdraw Guilty Plea was reasonable, fair, and supported by sound legal
principles.
While Britton acknowledges the abuse of discretion standard, he also
submits that this court should consider the federal approach. Federal Rule of
Criminal Procedure 11(d) allows for the withdrawal of a guilty plea upon a
showing by the defendant of any "fair and just reason." This Court has
mentioned this rule twice before; however, we have declined to adopt it in our
criminal rules.' Furthermore, our abuse of discretion standard takes into
account the fairness and reasonableness of the trial court's decision making.
Moreover, Britton unsuccessfully articulated this argument in his brief when
he set out the standard but then failed to specifically identify any fair and just
reason other than the lack of voluntariness for withdrawing his guilty plea.
Even if we assume for the sake of completeness that Britton had argued
here as he argued before the trial court, we would not be persuaded. In his
original Motion to Withdraw Guilty Plea, Britton argued that his plea under 12-
CR-204 was entered involuntarily because, during the mediation, the
Commonwealth would only accept a "package deal." Britton claimed that he
was ready and willing to plead guilty to 12-CR-151 but that he wanted to take
12-CR-204 to trial. However, the Commonwealth would only enter into a plea
I In Bowman v. Commonwealth, No. 2005-SC-000234-TG, 2006 WL 141586, at
*9 (Ky. Jan. 19, 2006), Justice Scott, in an unpublished dissenting opinion, advocated
for the use of this approach when a reviewing court considers the totality of
circumstances surrounding a guilty plea. In Commonwealth v. Pridham, 394 S.W.3d
867, 885 (Ky. 2012), the defendant made a similar argument, but this Court declined
to address it because the issue was not properly preserved.
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agreement if Britton pled guilty to charges in both indictments. Britton argued
that this negotiation tactic was coercive and led to an involuntary plea.
It is undisputed that a defendant has an absolute right to
unconditionally plead guilty to crimes charged in an indictment.
Commonwealth v. Corey, 826 S.W.2d 319, 321 (Ky. 1992). But no defendant
has a constitutional right to plea bargain; the prosecutor may engage in plea
bargaining or not in his sole discretion. Commonwealth v. Reyes, 764 S.W.2d
62, 64 (Ky. 1989). Because no duty to bargain exists, the Commonwealth is
free to make an offer and the defendant is free to accept or reject that offer.
Should either party dislike the proposed agreement, the defendant or the
Commonwealth may reject it and proceed to trial.
Here, the trial court properly summed up Britton's argument when it
asked, "[w]hat he wants to do is take advantage of a portion of the deal and
disregard the rest of it?" Britton was attempting to withdraw half of the plea
bargain. He had the right to plead guilty to any and all of the charges against
him, but he did not have the right to accept the Commonwealth's
recommended sentence unless he accepted the entire bargain. Furthermore,
offering a "package deal" of this type is not unreasonable or coercive. It is
common practice for the Commonwealth to resolve multiple indictments or
charges in two or more counties. See Goldsmith v. Commonwealth, 363 S.W.3d
330, 331 (Ky. 2012).
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III. CONCLUSION.
For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the trial court's denial of Britton's
motion to withdraw his guilty plea.
All sitting. All concur.
COUNSEL FOR APPELLANT:
Kathleen Kallaher Schmidt
Karen Shuff Maurer
Department of Public Advocacy
COUNSEL FOR APPELLEE:
Jack Conway
Attorney General of Kentucky
Kenneth Wayne Riggs
Assistant Attorney General
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