Opinion ID: 2332947
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Count VMartin

Text: ¶ 21 In April of 2007, Ronnie Lee Martin (Martin) was arrested pursuant to a traffic stop and vehicle search in which the police officer discovered drugs on Martin's person. Initially, Martin was charged with possession with intent to distribute. He hired Latimer to represent him. Subsequent thereto, the charge was amended to include a trafficking charge. Based on Martin's prior criminal record, the amendment made the punishment automatic life without parole upon conviction. The district attorney offered a plea bargain with a sentence of thirty-five (35) years, ten (10) years served and twenty-five years (25) on probation. Nevertheless, Latimer did not recommend that his client take the offer nor did he attempt to place Martin's mental capacity at issue although there was some evidence of incompetency. [24] The respondent filed multiple pre-trial motions on Martin's behalf, but he did not appear at the motion hearing and all but the motion for a jury trial were stricken. [25] Latimer waived his client's right to jury trial and called no witnesses during the proceedings. Martin was convicted of trafficking cocaine after three or more felony convictions and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole on February 12, 2008. Although Latimer filed a notice of intent to appeal, it was insufficient to meet jurisdictional requirements. Thereafter, he filed a motion for new trial; and, after the motion was denied, the respondent attempted to save the appeal by an out-of-time notice of intent to appeal. Latimer did not order a transcript of the trial but he did attempt to seek post-conviction relief. The totality of Latimer's actions extinguished Martin's right of appeal and any opportunity for him to obtain representation through the Indigent Defense System. [26] An attorney from the Indigent Defense System testified before the trial panel that, in her opinion, Martin did not receive effective assistance of counsel. [27] ¶ 22 Between February 19, 2008 and July 28, 2009, Latimer continued filing various motions before the district court. Repeatedly, he either failed to filed briefs when directed by the trial court or simply didn't appear when hearings were set on motions the respondent filed. Martin submitted a grievance on July 23, 2009, complaining of Latimer's failure to communicate and neglect relating to his trial representation and on appeal. As in the other causes, Latimer resisted all inquiries requesting responses to the allegations of the complaint. His conduct violated Rules 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 3.1, 8.1(b), 8.4(a)(d), Rules Governing Profession Conduct, 5 O.S. Supp.2008, Ch. 1, App. 3-A, and Rules 1.3 and 5.2, Rules Governing Disciplinary Proceedings. The facts are deemed admitted. Martin's actions warrant imposition of professional discipline.