Opinion ID: 1404298
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: There was a factual basis for the plea

Text: Brooks contends that there was no factual basis for his plea to the assault charge. The information the prosecutor filed charged Brooks with violating section 565.081.1, constituting the class A felony of assault of a law enforcement officer in the first degree. Brooks does not contest that the crime involved a law enforcement officer. He contends the evidence simply shows he was armed and struggled with the officer. The prosecutor's recitation of facts shows more. The prosecutor was prepared to show that Brooks' gun was in the ready-to-fire position, that Brooks began to swing his right hand toward the front of his body, which would have placed the gun between Brooks and the officer, that the officer grabbed Brooks' wrist to prevent the gun from being pointed at her, that Brooks threw the officer to the ground and fell on top of her, and that Brooks ended the assault and threw his gun away only after the officer drew her weapon and pointed it at him. All of this followed a chase by the officer that ended after an accident with another vehicle and Brooks' attempt to escape his disabled car. Brooks made an Alford plea. The plea court explained to Brooks that in such a plea, Brooks did not have to agree with the facts but could conclude that in the end he would be found guilty. After the prosecutor set out the facts the state would present, Brooks agreed that there was a great likelihood that he would be convicted if the case went to trial and pleaded guilty. The motion court concluded that there was a factual basis for the plea and that the plea was knowing and voluntary; its conclusions are not clearly erroneous.