Case Name: Cedric HOLT v. STATE of Mississippi
Court: Mississippi Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Mississippi
Decision Date: 1994-12-15
Citations: 650 So. 2d 1267
Docket Number: No. 92-KP-0391
Parties: Cedric HOLT v. STATE of Mississippi.
Judges: DAN M. LEE and PRATHER, P.JJ., and JAMES L. ROBERTS, Jr., J., concur.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 650
Pages: 1267–1280

Head Matter:
Cedric HOLT v. STATE of Mississippi.
No. 92-KP-0391.
Supreme Court of Mississippi.
Dec. 15, 1994.
Rehearing Denied March 30, 1995.
Cedric Holt, pro se.
Michael C. Moore, Atty. Gen., Pat S. Flynn, Asst. Atty. Gen., Jackson, for appel-lee.

Opinion:
SMITH, Justice,
for the Court:
Cedric Holt files this appeal from the denial of his petition for post conviction relief in the Circuit Court of Warren County, Mississippi. Holt was indicted in July 1990 on two counts of armed robbery, one count of burglary and one count of grand larceny. Following plea negotiations, the charges of armed robbery were reduced to robbery. On August 3, 1990, Holt filed a petition to enter pleas of guilty to all four charges.
The trial judge accepted Holt's guilty pleas and sentenced him to fifteen (15) years and thirteen (13) years on the two robbery counts, to run consecutively, and to ten (10) years on the burglary and grand larceny counts, to run concurrently with the robbery sentences. Thus, Holt was sentenced to a total of 28 years.
Thereafter, Holt filed his motion for post conviction collateral relief, to vacate and set aside plea of guilty, conviction and sentence. Following an evidentiary hearing on March 24, 1992, the trial court dismissed Holt's mo tion. We have examined the issues presented by Holt and determined only one issue warrants discussion:
WHETHER THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN CONDUCTING THE EVI-DENTIARY HEARING WITHOUT THE PRESENCE OF THE PROSECUTOR OR A DULY AUTHORIZED ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR WHERE SUCH ACTION CAUSED THE TRIAL COURT TO FUNCTION IN A PROSECUTORIAL ROLE AND AS THE JUDGE OF THE FACTS THEREBY DEFEATING THE COURT'S OBJECTIVITY WHICH THE COURT MUST MAINTAIN.
Holt asserts the failure of the trial judge to require the State to appear at the evidentia-ry hearing on his motion for post conviction relief or to otherwise respond "tainted" the hearing. Citing Miss.Code Ann. § 99-39-11 (1972), Holt contends its provisions are mandatory and, not being adhered to, urges this Court to reverse and render or reverse and remand his case for further proceedings.
Section 99-39-11 (1972) provides:
(1) The original motion, together with all the files, records, transcripts and correspondence relating to the judgment under attack, shall be examined promptly by the judge to whom it is assigned.
(2) If it plainly appears from the face of the motion, any annexed exhibits and prior proceedings in the case that the movant is not entitled to any relief, the judge may make an order for its dismissal and cause the prisoner to be notified.
(3) If the motion is not dismissed under subsection 2 of this section, the judge shall order the state to file an answer or to take such other action as the judge deems appropriate, (emphasis added).
Upon a thorough review of the record in this cause, the mystery is why the trial judge determined that Holt was even entitled to an evidentiary hearing. An examination of the transcript and all attached documents clearly indicates that the trial court could have denied Holt's petition summarily. The transcript and supporting documents absolutely refute all three allegations raised by Holt in his motion for relief.
This Court in Jordan v. State, 577 So.2d 368, 369 (Miss.1990) stated:
The court upon examination of the application has the authority to dismiss it outright, if it plainly appears from the face of the motion, any annexed exhibits and the prior proceedings in the case that the mov-ant is not entitled to any relief.
Regardless, the trial court allowed Holt the opportunity to appear and present evidence in support of his petition. The record indicates Holt appeared pro se, and testified, along with his witnesses, while the State had no representative at the hearing. However, the court did receive an affidavit filed by Holt's trial attorney which refuted the issues raised by Holt. The trial judge explained the State's absence at the start of the proceedings:
THE COURT: Now, Mr. Bullard is not present here at the hearing today.' He's involved in a murder trial downstairs at this time in the courtroom. He did file that affidavit. He was the attorney for Mr. Holt at the time of Mr. Holt's pleas on these three cases. He has since been appointed as Assistant District Attorney, so the District Attorney's office is not participating in this matter because he was the Defense Attorney, now Assistant District Attorney.
It should be obvious that this development presented a clear conflict of interest on behalf of the assistant district attorney and readily accounts for the court not requiring the State to be present at Holt's hearing. This situation obviously concerned the trial judge. Judge Vollar's concern about the appearance of a conflict of interest was sufficiently illustrated by his letter dated March 4, 1992 to county prosecutor, John Price. The judge directed Price, instead of the district attorney, to determine, as a result of these proceedings, whether perjury charges against Holt were appropriate. Judge Vol- lor's actions evidenced his conflict of interest concerns regarding Bullard a current assistant district attorney but who previously had represented Holt on the very charge under consideration at the PCR hearing. By not requiring the appearance and participation of the district attorney Judge Vollar was simply attempting to avoid any appearance of impropriety on the part of that office. It is also apparent applying § 99-39-11(3), the trial court did not believe an answer by the State was at all necessary. The filing of the affidavit by Bullard on the day of the hearing was apparently the only other appropriate action that the trial judge deemed was necessary in this case. Judge Vollor was able to examine and compare the counter affidavits, the oral testimony and argument submitted by Holt, as well as the previous plea transcript and render his decision without the necessity of requiring the State's presence, or the filing of any additional response, other than Bullard's affidavit.
The trial court reviewed the previous transcript and obviously placed great emphasis upon Holt's prior declarations made under oath during his plea colloquy. This Court has stated that a trial court is entitled to rely on judicial records, which "import absolute verity and may not be impeached by parol evidence" in determining whether to grant an evidentiary hearing. Cole v. State, 608 So.2d 1313, 1321 (Miss.1992). Cole's petition alleged that he had no assistance of counsel at the plea; yet, the official court record showed that Cole was indeed represented by an attorney. This Court in Mowdy and Scrivner v. State, 638 So.2d 738, 743 (Miss.1994) stated:'
The trial court is right to place great emphasis upon these statements under oath made by Mowdy and Scrivner in open court during the taking of their guilty pleas and sentencing. There should be a strong presumption of validity of anyone's statement under oath. However, we are now faced with one statement or the other not being the truth. The trial judge faced this same dilemma, obviously calling into question the appellants' credibility.
The Mowdy court further stated:
[N]ot all instances of conflicting affidavits will merit an evidentiary hearing. Where the petitioner's version is belied by previous sworn testimony, for example, as to render his affidavit a sham we will allow summary judgment to stand.
Id., citing Harris v. State, 578 So.2d 617, 620 (Miss.1991).
This Court in Harris addressed similar . situations dealing with prior sworn testimony, wherein it was stated:
This is not to say that an evidentiary hearing is to be ordered every time there are contradictory affidavits. In order for a contested fact to require an evidentiary hearing it must be material. Moreover, where an affidavit is belied by unimpeachable documentary evidence in the record such as, for example, a transcript or written statements of the affiant to the contrary, to the extent that the court can conclude that the affidavit is a sham, no hearing is required.
578 So.2d at 620.
Also, in Baker v. State, 358 So.2d 401, 403 (Miss.1978), this Court stated:
[W]e are mindful, as stated in Blackledge [v. Allison, 431 U.S. 63, 97 S.Ct. 1621, 52 L.Ed.2d 136 (1977) ], that "Solemn declarations in open court carry a strong presumption of verity." The state, the defendant, and the judicial system all have a significant interest in the plea. For the defendant, if guilty, he can begin serving his sentence without facing the delay and agony of a futile trial. Time is conserved for the state prosecutor and an already crowded court system is spared an unnecessary burden. Balanced against these administrative interests of course is the interest of protecting constitutional rights, particularly in the criminal law area.
Finally, in Turner v. State, 590 So.2d 871 (Miss.1991), where Turner claimed in his petition for post-conviction relief that he had been misinformed about his sentence, yet the transcript of the plea colloquy between Turner and the trial judge belied Turner's claim, this Court upheld the trial court's summary-denial of relief. Turner and the case at bar are different only in that the judge in this case granted Holt the opportunity to present evidence in spite of the fact that the transcript, on its face indicated that a hearing was unnecessary.
What is more important about this situation is even given this opportunity, Holt failed to meet the burden required of him under Miss.Code Ann. § 99-39-23(7) which provides that "no relief shall be granted under this chapter unless the prisoner proves by a preponderance of the evidence that he is entitled to such." See also, McClendon v. State, 539 So.2d 1375 (Miss.1989); Schmitt v. State, 560 So.2d 148 (Miss.1990).
Holt insists § 99-39-11(3), mandates a response to his petition, relying on the language, "the judge shall order the state to file an answer or other pleading within the period of time fixed by the court...." Holt also insists that the presence of a prosecutor is mandatory. The absence of a prosecutor should not serve to reverse Judge Vollar. Neither has the State confessed Holt's petition, as he claims. Holt fails to consider "The Rest Of The Story", that being the additional provision allowing the judge the option to require the State "to take such other action as the judge deems appropriate." The statute does not require the trial judge to order the State to answer if he deems other action appropriate, which is precisely what the trial judge chose do to in the case sub judice. A logical inference may be drawn that the trial judge considered the filing of the affidavit of Bullard and proceeding without a prosecutor, due to the unusual facts of this case, as the only "other action deemed appropriate."
Holt now complains for the first time that the judge should not have considered Bullard's affidavit. There was absolutely nothing improper about Judge Vollar considering the affidavit of assistant district attorney Bullard. Such procedure is permissible by statute, case authority as well and is routinely utilized by trial courts in conducting PCR hearings. See, § 99-39-23(3)(4) Miss.Code Ann. (1984). Besides, Holt could have required and compelled Bullard's attendance at the PCR hearing by subpoena, utilizing the above referenced statute and § 26 Mississippi Constitution. See also, Hickson v. State, 512 So.2d 1, 3 (Miss.1987); and Rogers v. State, 599 So.2d 930, 935 (Miss.1992).
It is also noteworthy that Holt did not object to the inclusion of Bullard's affidavit as evidence for the trial judge to consider at Holt's actual PCR hearing. In order that there be preserved error for this Court to review, there must be a contemporaneous objection. Smith v. State, 530 So.2d 155, 161-162 (Miss.1988); Lockett v. State, 517 So.2d 1317 (Miss.1987); Temple v. State, 498 So.2d 379 (Miss.1986). Holt attempts to shift the blame for his failure to object upon the trial judge, claiming that the judge should have inquired of Holt if he had an objection to the court's considering Bullard's affidavit. However, the judge is not required to solicit objections from the parties engaged in litigation. Holt is barred due to his failure to object and his failure to subpoena Bullard.
This was simply a decision by the trial court, finding other action appropriate as authorized by statute. There is no merit to Holt's claims.
Holt further urges the Court that Miss.Code Ann. § 25-31-11 (1984), requires the district attorney to appear and represent the State's interest in all criminal prosecutions and all civil cases in which the State or any county within his district may be interested. In so arguing, Holt ignores the language of subsection (3) of § 25-31-11 which provides:
The validity of any judgment or sentence shall not be affected by the division of jurisdiction under this section, and no judgment or sentence may be reversed or modified upon the basis that the case was not processed according to this section.
We are of the opinion that Holt's ease has been in no way prejudiced by the failure of the trial court to order an answer or an appearance by the district attorney on behalf of the State. No practical remedy could be afforded Holt on reversal and remand. The trial judge has heard all of the evidence Holt had to offer. Judicial efficiency is not served to require this same judge to again reconsider the identical evidence previously offered by Holt. There is no merit to any of his claims and the participation of the State in a hearing would not change this. This is especially true where the trial court determined that other action by the court was more appropriate.
Finally, Holt alleges that the trial judge was biased and prejudiced against him in asking that the prosecutor look at this case and determine whether or not perjury charges were warranted. We find that there is nothing out of place with this procedure. This Court has even suggested that the issue of whether or not perjury has been committed by a defendant filing conflicting affidavits versus sworn testimony at a subsequent proceeding might warrant appropriate action by a grand jury. See Smith v. State, 636 So.2d 1220 (Miss.1994). Also, see, Sanders v. State, 440 So.2d 278, 289 (Miss.1983) (Roy Noble Lee, J., Specially Concurring).
Suffice to say, the court did not put much faith and credit in the testimony of Holt or his witnesses. Rather, it is apparent that Judge Vollar, in considering his decision, relied more heavily upon Holt's prior sworn testimony at his plea colloquy. It is also obvious that the court was presented with the identical dilemma as was the trial judge in Mowdy and Scrivner v. State; one statement or the other was not true. But, the ultimate question for the court to determine was which statement was the truth? Holt, under oath, now alleges a different version of this issue as compared to his original version, made under oath to Judge Vollar at the plea colloquy. Holt claims "trial by affidavit," but such is not the case before us, as clearly supported by the record. The previous official transcript was made a part of this record and relied upon by Judge Vollar in arriving at his decision. Judge Vollar proceeded through the official transcript, page by page, while explaining his decision to Holt. Faced with the dilemma of one statement or the other not being the truth, Holt's credibility was called into question by Judge Vollar. The court saw through this petition for what it actually was; a frivolous, feeble attempt to get out of a validly imposed sentence. Holt was lying one time or the other, and subject to possible perjury charges, because he was under oath on both occasions. Judge Vollar was right to place great emphasis on Holt's prior sworn plea. Sworn testimony is given under penalty of perjury. We have a statute prohibiting perjury. Suspected violations should be investigated and if sufficient grounds of violation of the law are uncovered during such investigations, the law should be enforced. If a judge suspects perjury, he should order an investigation, as did Judge Vollar.
It is certainly preferable that the State be in attendance to present its defense to a petition, rather than placing the court in a position of conducting the hearing by itself. In the case sub judice, because of the apparent conflict of interest of attorney Bullard, and the trial judge thus not requiring another prosecutor from the district attorney's office to attend or respond, a better procedure would have been served by the trial judge having the county attorney attend and represent the State's interest. Trial judges and district attorneys should note this prospectively in future PCR eases. However, under the facts of this case, as supported by the record, Judge Vollar was fair and extremely patient with Holt, allowing him to testify, offer all evidence, testimony and argument that Holt desired to submit to the court.
The bottom line to all of this is that after considering all evidence and the previous record of Holt's plea and sentencing hearing the court ruled against Holt. Judge Vollar relied on the greater credibility of the affidavit of Bullard and the presumption of validity of Holt's previously entered plea of guilt under oath, rather than believing Holt or his witnesses.
Contrary to Holt's allegations, there is nothing in this record to indicate prejudice, bias, a "tainted" hearing, a "prosecutor judge assuming an advocate's role", or the judge not maintaining his objectivity. Neither is there a problem with the procedure followed by this trial judge based on the unusual facts of this case.
More importantly, how is Holt prejudiced by the absence of a State's attorney? Holt failed to show this Court how his position is damaged the least bit by the absence of a prosecutor. If anything, the mere presence and vigorous examination and cross-examination of witnesses by a zealous prosecutor would most certainly have enhanced the State's position. Absence of a prosecutor appears to harm only the State. At the very least, if there is any prejudice here, it clearly weighs against the State of Mississippi, not Holt.
Holt's remedy for the failure of the trial court to order a response and appearance by the State would be to reverse and render and set him free. We are of the opinion that there are no grounds alleged by Holt to warrant such drastic action by this Court. Neither is there any meritorious reason for this Court to remand Holt's case requiring Judge Vollar, the trial judge, to rehear the same evidence that he has already considered and rejected. Judicial efficiency as well as common sense practicality is served by affirming the trial court in its dismissal of Holt's petition.
DENIAL OF POST CONVICTION RELIEF AFFIRMED.
DAN M. LEE and PRATHER, P.JJ., and JAMES L. ROBERTS, Jr., J., concur.
MeRAE, J., concurs in results only.
HAWKINS, C.J., dissents with separate written opinion joined by SULLIVAN, BANKS and PITTMAN, JJ.