Opinion ID: 782712
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Boone

Text: 31 Petitioner does not dispute that the District Attorney's Office disclosed that Boone pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree and was promised a sentence of eight and one-third to twenty-five years imprisonment in exchange for her cooperation. Instead, Petitioner argues that the District Attorney's Office made an additional undisclosed promise of leniency to Boone based upon the fact that the court actually sentenced her to a term of imprisonment that was more lenient than the one provided by the plea agreement. 32 Petitioner's argument is meritless. The state court found that there was no discussion of a lesser sentence for Boone until her sentencing, which occurred approximately five months after she testified in petitioner's case. The state court also found that the District Attorney's Office did not request leniency on behalf of Boone. Rather, the state court found that the sentencing court suggested that a term of imprisonment of seven to twenty-one years would be fair and asked Ulrich to consent to the lesser sentence. Our own review of the record indicates that Boone's counsel initially requested a reduced sentence without the District Attorney's Office's assistance or consent. 33 Petitioner proffers no evidence of any undisclosed promises between the District Attorney's Office and Boone. Petitioner argues that Ulrich consented to the lenient sentence in light of Boone's cooperation. This may be true. However, the issue is not whether Boone eventually received favorable treatment because she testified at petitioner's trial. The relevant inquiry is whether the District Attorney's Office made an undisclosed promise of additional leniency in exchange for Boone's cooperation. Contrary to petitioner's argument, the mere fact that Ulrich acceded to the sentencing court's request does not provide sufficient evidence of any such promise. 34 Petitioner offers no evidence demonstrating that the state court's findings of fact are clearly erroneous. Upon reviewing the record, we conclude that they are, in fact, correct. We also note that, while Ulrich consented to the sentencing court's request, he informed the court that Boone was not entitled to the reduction. Accordingly, petitioner's application for a writ of habeas corpus on this ground is denied. 3