Opinion ID: 1878297
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: christian r. bangert examination

Text: BY THE COURT: Q Mr. Bangert, you understand what is going on? A Yes, sir. Q An amended information has been furnished to me which now charges you with a second degree murder charge. And it's my understanding and the understanding of your two attorneys and the State that you are going to enter a plea of no contest to this charge, which is equivalent to a plea of guilty. Do you understand that? A That's correct. Q Are you doing this of your own free will? A Yes. Q There's been no threats? A No. Q There's been no promises? Have there been any promises? A No. MR. LAWSON [defense counsel]: The only promises, Your Honor, are those contained within our plea agreement, which I have reduced to a letter, and Mr. Bangert has received a copy of it.... MR. ROGERS [defense counsel]: Your Honor, we have advised Mr. Bangert that whatever promises are contained in that letter, which was written to Mr. Zemke confirming the understanding, that the court is not bound by anything therein, but I think the record should accurately reflect that he has had some promises made to him. Q (By the court) You understand that, Mr. Bangert? A Yes. Q That this court is not bound by any agreements that your attorneys made with the State of Wisconsin, but I'm free to do what I want to do or what I feel is right, do you understand that? A Yes, I understand that. THE COURT: Okay. The court, under the conditions as statedI'm sure that you have advised him of his constitutional rights prior to the time that he's entering this plea? MR. LAWSON: Yes, we did, Your Honor. THE COURT: And you believe that he fully understands them? MR. LAWSON: Yes, I do. THE COURT: Okay. The court will accept your plea of no contest to the charge of second degree murder. This is contrary to Section 940.02(1). CHRISTIAN R. BANGERT EXAMINATION CONTINUED BY THE COURT: Q Do you understand, Mr. Bangert, that the court accepting your plea, that this carries a maximum sentence of 20 years? A Yes, I do. THE COURT: Okay. Court will accept your plea. And the court wishes the record to reflect that the defendant is making his plea voluntarily, with no threat or any promises on the part of the court. ... THE COURT: . . . Is there anything I've omitted, gentlemen? MR. ZEMKE [district attorney] Yes, Your Honor, there are two things. For one, I don't know that Mr. Bangert ever said no contest on the record himself. I mean I don't recall. THE DEFENDANT: No, I didn't. MR. ZEMKE: Okay. I think that should be THE COURT: I asked you, did you plead no contest, and you said yes. THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: Okay. MR. ZEMKE: The other Excuse me. THE COURT: And you did that freely, no threats, no promises, right? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: All right. That's okay. Both the state and the defendant agree that the plea colloquy is woefully inadequate. Nothing in the plea hearing transcript remotely establishes that Bangert understood the nature of the second-degree murder charge. The court neither recited the elements nor characterized the nature of the crime in a general manner. Likewise, the court did not affirmatively establish that the defendant understood the constitutional rights which he in effect would be waiving, including the right against self-incrimination, the right to a trial by jury, and the right to confront one's accusers. See, Boykin, 395 U.S. at 243. See also, Edwards v. State, 51 Wis. 2d 231, 235, 186 N.W.2d 193 (1971). For a waiver of constitutional rights to be valid, the plea must be based on `an intentional relinquishment or abandonment of a known right or privilege.' McCarthy, 394 U.S. at 466 (quoting Johnson v. Zerbst, 304 U.S. 458, 464 (1938)). A plea may be involuntary either because the defendant does not have a complete understanding of the charge or because he does not understand the nature of the constitutional rights he is waiving. Henderson, 426 U.S. at 645, n. 13. The plea colloquy in this case does not come close to establishing the defendant's understanding of either the charge itself or the constitutional rights he is waiving.
But merely concluding that the plea colloquy in this case was inadequate does not define the procedures which a trial court judge must follow in accepting a plea of guilty or no contest. Nor does it necessarily indicate that the defendant lacked the requisite understanding and knowledge to make his plea constitutionally valid. Although the court must [a]ddress the defendant personally and determine that the plea is made voluntarily with understanding of the nature of the charge, sec. 971.08(1)(a), Stats., the statute does not explain how that determination should be made. This court cannot overemphasize the importance of the trial court's taking great care in ascertaining the defendant's understanding of the nature of the charge. The prospect of imprisonment for a defendant demands the utmost solicitude of which courts are capable in canvassing the matter with the accused. . . . Boykin, 395 U.S. at 243-44. We have previously discussed the trial court's duty to ascertain a defendant's understanding of the nature of the charge. We merely reformulate the source of the duty from a constitutional requirement to a statutory imperative. In McAllister, 54 Wis. 2d at 230, this court held that the ascertainment of understanding must be made on the record. In Martinkoski, 51 Wis. 2d at 245, we stated that while there is a burden on the trial court to establish a record showing the defendant's understanding of the charge, the form of the inquiry need not be inflexible. An understanding of the nature of the charge must include an awareness of the essential elements of the crime. Cecchini, 124 Wis. 2d at 212. While we have not established inflexible guidelines which a trial court must follow in ascertaining a defendant's understanding of the nature of the charge, this court is of the opinion that the time has arrived to require a trial court to do more than merely record the defendant's affirmation of understanding pursuant to sec. 971.08(1)(a). As a function of our superintending and administrative authority over the circuit courts, [4] we now make it mandatory upon the trial judge to determine a defendant's understanding of the nature of the charge at the plea hearing by following any one or a combination of the following methods. We characterize this obligation as a duty to first inform a defendant of the nature of the charge or, alternatively, to first ascertain that the defendant possesses accurate information about the nature of the charge. The court must then ascertain the defendant's understanding of the nature of the charge as expressly required by sec. 971.08(1)(a). Which of the following methods is selected depends on the circumstances of the particular case, including the level of education of the defendant and the complexity of the charge. First, the trial court may summarize the elements of the crime charged by reading from the appropriate jury instructions, see, Wis. J I Criminal SM-32, Part IV (1985), or from the applicable statute. See, e.g., Cecchini, 124 Wis. 2d at 213. Second, the trial judge may ask defendant's counsel whether he explained the nature of the charge to the defendant and request him to summarize the extent of the explanation, including a reiteration of the elements, at the plea hearing. Third, the trial judge may expressly refer to the record or other evidence of defendant's knowledge of the nature of the charge established prior to the plea hearing. For example, when a criminal complaint has been read to the defendant at a preliminary hearing, the trial judge may inquire whether the defendant understands the nature of the charge based on that reading. A trial judge may also specifically refer to and summarize any signed statement of the defendant which might demonstrate that the defendant has notice of the nature of the charge. We first note that this list is not necessarily exhaustive of the methods which a trial judge may exercise in satisfying the antecedent step to its statutory obligation to personally determine the defendant's understanding. But it is no longer sufficient for a trial judge merely to perfunctorily question the defendant about his understanding of the charge. Likewise, a perfunctory affirmative response by the defendant that he understands the nature of the offense, without an affirmative showing that the nature of the crime has been communicated to him or that the defendant has at some point expressed his knowledge of the nature of the charge, will not satisfy the requirement of sec. 971.08, Stats. Whether the trial court communicates the elements of the crime at the plea hearing or whether the court refers to a document or portion of the record predating the plea hearing, the operative time period for determining the defendant's understanding of the nature of the charge remains the plea hearing itself. The defendant must understand the nature of the crime at the time of the taking of the plea. Cecchini, 124 Wis. 2d at 201. In essence, we are reiterating the statutory duty placed on the trial courts to ascertain a defendant's understanding of the nature of a charge, sec. 971.08(1)(a), Stats. But we go beyond that duty to establish a mandatory obligation on the trial court to first inform the defendant of the charge's nature or, instead, to ascertain that the defendant in fact possesses such information. A defendant's mere affirmative response that he understands the nature of the charge, without establishing his knowledge of the nature of the charge, submits more to a, perfunctory procedure rather than to the constitutional standard that a plea be affirmatively shown to be voluntarily and intelligently made. Form would be elevated over substance. Understanding must have knowledge as its antecedent; knowledge, like understanding, cannot be inferred or assumed on a silent record. CI, Boykin, 395 U.S. at 242, 243. Conversely, it is not enough merely to inform the defendant or point to a portion of the transcript or other evidence which indicates that the defendant possesses knowledge of the nature of the charge; that court must also ascertain the defendant's understanding of that information, sec. 971.08(1)(a), Stats. The duty to inform, although not expressly required by sec. 971.08, is a logical outgrowth of the constitutional standard that a defendant's plea be knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently entered. The duty is complementary to the obligation of the trial court to ascertain a defendant's understanding of the nature of the charge. Like the other Ernst requirements, it is made mandatory on the trial courts. The trial court also failed to ascertain on the record Bangert's understanding of his constitutional rights which he was necessarily waiving by entering a plea of no contest. A person must know and understand that constitutional rights are waived by the plea in order for the plea to be voluntarily and intelligently made. Edwards, 51 Wis. 2d at 234. The defendant need not specifically waive each right, but the record or other evidence must show that he entered his plea voluntarily and knowingly, see, id. at 235-36, with understanding of the rights he was waiving. The trial judge in this case did not ascertain that the defendant knew and understood which constitutional rights he was waiving. The plea hearing record indicates only that Bangert's counsel believed that Bangert knew and understood which constitutional rights Bangert was waiving. Defense counsel may not speak for the defendant; the defendant must affirmatively state his own knowledge and understanding when he is capable of doing so. Henceforth, we will also require as a function of our supervisory powers that state courts at the plea hearing follow the provisions set forth in Wis. J I Criminal SM-32 (1985), Part V, Waiver of Constitutional Rights, [5] or specifically refer to some portion of the record or communication between defense counsel and defendant which affirmatively exhibits defendant's knowledge of the constitutional rights he will be waiving. The court must then, as before, ascertain whether the defendant understands he will be waiving certain constitutional rights by virtue of his guilty or on contest plea. Cf., Boykin, 395 U.S. at 243. The express duty to inform the defendant of the constitutional rights which he will be waiving, or to ascertain that the defendant possesses such knowledge, may be considered a seventh duty to be followed by the trial courts. See, Ernst, 43 Wis. 2d at 674. Whether the plea is voluntary will in part depend on whether the defendant understands the nature of the constitutional protections he is waiving. Henderson, 426 U.S. at 645, n. 13. It is incumbent upon the trial court to inform the defendant of his rights and ascertain that he understands they are being waived. Although Bangert questions only the adequacy of the nature of the charge and constitutional waiver colloquy of the plea hearing, we urge trial courts to closely follow all of the procedures for the taking of a guilty or no contest plea as set forth at Wis. J ICriminal SM-32 (1985). We have previously expressed this recommendation, Bartelt, 112 Wis. 2d at 483-84, n. 3, Minniecheske, 127 Wis. 2d at 245, and believe that careful adherence to SM-32 will satisfy the constitutional standard of a voluntary and knowing plea, as well as the Ernst requirements, the procedure of sec. 971.08, Stats., and the other mandatory procedures described herein.
The question remains, what is the proper remedy for failure to follow: (a) the procedures set forth in sec. 971.08(1); (b) the additional procedures which we now make mandatory; and (c) those procedures already enumerated and mandated in Ernst? See, e.g., Ernst, 43 Wis. 2d at 674. Bangert cites Cecchini and McAllister for the proposition that the trial court's ascertainment of a defendant's understanding of the charge must be limited on review to the plea hearing transcript. Cecchini, 124 Wis. 2d at 210, 211. The court hearing a motion to withdraw a plea may not search the entire record for evidence of a knowing and voluntary [plea]. Id. at 210. We are now of the opinion that our decision in Cecchini circumscribed too narrowly the postconviction review of the voluntariness of a guilty or no contest plea. Because it was based in on part on the faulty Ernst foundation concluding that Rule 11 was constitutionally mandated upon the states, the Cecchini decision incorrectly concluded that the failure of a trial court to ascertain a defendant's understanding of the nature of the charge on the record at the plea hearing necessitated that the plea be found involuntary and unknowing, in violation of the Boykin constitutional standard. Cf., North Carolina v. Alford, 400 U.S. 25, 29, n. 3 (1970) (Since the record in this case affirmatively indicates that Alford was aware of the consequences of his plea of guilty and of the rights waived by the plea, no issues of substance under Boykin v. Alabama, 395 U.S. 238 (1969) would be presented.. . .). See also, Wood v. Morris, 87 Wash. 2d 501, 507, 554 P.2d 1032, 1036 (1976) (construing Boykin to allow supplementation of an otherwise defective plea-taking record in a postconviction proceeding). We have held above, however, that a trial judge's failure to personally ascertain a defendant's understanding of the nature of the charge at the plea hearing constitutes a violation of sec. 971.08, Stats., not a constitutional violation. We believe, in light of the remedy for a violation of sec. 971.08(1) that this court now proposes, that it is inappropriate to restrict a reviewing court to the plea hearing transcript to determine the voluntariness of a plea on a motion to withdraw under sec. 974.02. We therefore overrule that part of Cecchini which held that a reviewing court may look only to the plea hearing transcript to determine the defendant's understanding of the nature of the offense and, consequently, the voluntariness of the plea. We implement a new approach which serves as a remedy for both a violation of sec. 971.08 and the mandatory procedures we not require. Whenever the sec. 971.08 procedure is not undertaken or whenever the court-mandated duties are not fulfilled at the plea hearing, the defendant may move to withdraw his plea. The initial burden rests with the defendant to make a prima facie showing that his plea was accepted without the trial court's conformance with sec. 971.08 or other mandatory procedures as stated herein. See, Roddy v. Black, 516 F.2d 1380, 1384 (6th Cir. 1975); Wood v. Morris, 87 Wash. 2d at 507, 554 P.2d at 1036. Where the defendant has shown a prima facie violation of sec. 971.08(1)(a) or other mandatory duties, and alleges that he in fact did not know or understand the information which should have been provided at the plea hearing, the burden will then shift to the state to show by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant's plea was knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently entered, despite the inadequacy of the record at the time of the plea's acceptance. Roddy, 516 F.2d at 1384; Wood, 87 Wash. 2d at 507, 554 P.2d at 1036. The state may then utilize any evidence which substantiates that the plea was knowingly and voluntarily made. In essence, the state will be required to show that the defendant in fact possessed the constitutionally required understanding and knowledge which the defendant alleges the inadequate plea colloquy failed to afford him. See, e.g., Wood, 87 Wash. 2d at 507, 554 P.2d at 1036. The state may examine the defendant or defendant's counsel to shed light on the defendant's understanding or knowledge of information necessary for him to enter a voluntary and intelligent plea. See, e.g., Roddy, 516 F.2d at 1385-86. The state may also utilize the entire record to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant knew and understood the constitutional rights which he would be waiving. Edwards, 51 Wis. 2d at 235-36 (records as a whole showed that defendant understood constitutional rights he waived, and that is sufficient). We thus hold that when a defendant shows a prima facie violation of sec. 971.08 or a failure of the court to meet other enumerated obligations, including the duty to inform him of his constitutional rights or a failure to ascertain his knowledge thereof, the state bears the burden of showing by clear and convincing evidence that the plea was knowingly and voluntarily made. See, Collins v. Israel, 538 F.Supp. 1211, 1215 (E.D. Wis. 1982). We perceive that this remedy which switches the burden of production and persuasion to the state will encourage the prosecution in a plea hearing proceeding to assist the trial court in meeting its sec. 971.08 and other expressed obligations. On the other hand, permitting the state to show by clear and convincing evidence that the totality of the circumstances demonstrates a knowing and voluntary plea in fact achieves the requirement of the constitutional standard. To enable a court on a motion to withdraw to consider only the plea hearing transcript essentially raises procedural form over constitutional substance. A postconviction review of all relevant evidence may reflect that the plea was constitutionally sound, even though the colloquy did not meet statutory procedures or satisfy obligations stemming from our supervisory powers.
We are next faced with the issue whether to retroactively apply the new postconviction procedure and the mandatory duty to inform the defendant of the nature of the charge and of the constitutional rights being waived. The criteria used in cases formulating a new rule of criminal procedure include: `(a) the purpose to be served by the new standards, (b) the extent of the reliance by law enforcement authorities on the old standards, and (c) the effect on the administration of justice of a retroactive application of the new standards.' Solem v. Stumes, 465 U.S. 638, 643 (1984) (quoting Stovall v. Denno, 388 U.S. 293, 297 (1967)); see also, In the Interest of N.E., 122 Wis. 2d 198, 209, 361 N.W.2d 693 (1985). In analyzing the purpose to be served by the new standard, we generally focus on the utility of the standard in relation to the truth-finding process at trial. Stumes, 465 U.S.at 643-45; see also, In the Interest of N.E., 122 Wis. 2d at 209, 210. The new rule that shifts the burden of persuasion to the state has little to do with the accuracy of a criminal trial. More properly, the rule may be characterized as an aid to ensure that the trial court follows at the plea hearing the dictates of sec. 971.08 and the obligation to ascertain that the defendant possesses knowledge of the nature of the charge and of his constitutional rights which he will be waiving if the plea is accepted. Likewise, these requirements which trial judges must specifically undertake on the record are designed to meet the constitutional standard of a voluntary and knowing waiver. They do not directly affect the truth-finding process at trial. The degree of reliance on the old standardin this case, the Cecchini rule of limiting review to the plea hearing transcriptis analyzed in terms of whether the new decision was foreshadowed by earlier cases or [is] a `clear break with the past.' Stumes, 465 U.S. at 646 (footnote omitted). The Cecchini rule itself is a relatively new rule insofar as it definitively expressed the extent to which a reviewing court may consider other parts of a record. The rule that the state carries the burden of proof when sec. 971.08(1)(a) is violated or when the court fails to inform the defendant was not foreshadowed by prior case law. The mandate upon the trial court to inform the defendant was foreshadowed to some extent in Cecchini. In that case we suggested, One way to assure that the defendant understands the nature of the charge is for the trial court to summarize the elements of the crime charged, relating them to the facts of the case. A simple method for doing so is to refer to the uniform jury instructions. These instructions will be useful in advising the defendant of a crime's requisite elements in language which is understandable. Cecchini, 124 Wis. 2d at 213 (footnote omitted). However, Cecchini was decided after the plea hearing in this case and, therefore, provided no foreshadowing to the trial court in this case of the requirement that a trial court expressly undertake to inform the defendant or ascertain his knowledge with respect to the nature of the charge and his constitutional rights being waived. Last, we consider the effect of a retroactive application of the new rules on the administration of justice. The fact that a violation of sec. 971.08(1)(a) or the attendant duty to inform results in a postconviction review with the burden on the state to show a voluntary and knowing plea potentially could have a significant and adverse effect on the administration of justice. Defendants who previously had the burden of showing a manifest injustice in these instances before a guilty plea could be withdrawn, see, State v. Reppin, 35 Wis. 2d 377, 385-86, 151 N.W.2d 9 (1967), might move the court to withdrawn their pleas. A subsequent evidentiary hearing would be hampered by problems of lost evidence, faulty memory, and missing witnesses. Starnes, 465 U.S. at 650. Moreover, we conclude that the administration of justice would best be served by making the new state-burden rule prospective for all postconviction motions relating to plea hearings which will occur after the mandate of this opinion. We choose the same date for requiring the trial court to expressly inform the defendant of the nature of the charge and inform him of his constitutional rights being waived or, alternatively, expressly ascertain that the defendant possesses such information. We reiterate that the duty to comply with the plea hearing procedures falls squarely on the trial judge. We understand that most trial judges are under considerable calendar constraints, but it is of paramount importance that judges devote the time necessary to ensure that a plea meets the constitutional standard. The plea hearing colloquy must not be reduced to a perfunctory exchange. It demands the trial court's utmost solicitude Boykin, 396 U.S. at 243-44. Such solicitude will serve to forestall postconviction motions, which have an even more detrimental effect not on a trial court's time limitations than do properly conducted plea hearings. Intentional failure to follow such mandate could be grounds for judicial discipline. The prosecution should play a supporting role in assisting the trial court in implementing the procedures which lead to an affirmative showing of a knowing, voluntary, and intelligent plea. In order to best represent his client, defense counsel, too, is obligated to inform the defendant of the nature of the charge, of his constitutional rights which will be waived by virtue of the plea, and of the general legal effect of the guilty or no contest plea. [6] The defendant also has an important role during the plea hearing; if he is uncooperative or equivocal in communicating with the trial Judge, the plea should not be accepted. Instead, the case immediately should be set for trial. Minniecheske, 127 Wis. 2d at 246-47; id. at 247 (Ceci, J., concurring).
We now are prepared to turn to the facts of this case. Bangert asserts that the plea colloquy conducted by Judge Cirilli was inadequate. The plea hearing transcript does not demonstrate a personal, voluntary waiver of Banger's constitutional rights and fails to show an understanding of the nature of the charge, he argues. The state argues that even if the plea colloquy is inadequate, the totality of the circumstances on the record indicates that the defendant actually understood the nature of the charge and was aware of the constitutional rights he was waiving. We observe that the trial court did not abide by sec. 971.08, Stats. He did not personally address the defendant at the plea hearing to determine that Bangert's plea was being made voluntarily with understanding of the nature of the charge. The court merely restated that Bangert was being charged with second-degree murder and stated that it was the court's understanding that Bangert would plead no contest. The court then obliquely asked, Do you understand that? This is the closest which the court came to ascertaining that the defendant understood the nature of the second-degree murder charge. The elements of the crime were not discussed; no jury instructions were read. The court did not refer to prior portions of the record which might reflect the defendant's understanding of the nature of the charge. See, e.g., Cecchini, 124 Wis. 2d at 213. Defense counsel was not asked whether the nature of the charge was explained to the defendant or whether the defendant understood the nature of the charge. In addition, the court never asked the defendant whether he understood the constitutional rights which he would be waiving. The court only questioned the defense counsel whether he believed that defendant understood his rights. Although a defendant's understanding of the nature of the charge is a critical component of a voluntary plea, violation of the procedure outlined in sec. 971.08(1)(a), Stats., does not amount to a violation of the constitutional standard that a voluntary and intelligent plea be affirmatively shown. Rather, the violation of the statute is one of procedure designed to meet the constitutional standard. Again, Boykin does not mandate the procedures which a state must follow to meet the standard. [10] Because we overrule the Cecchini holding that the reviewing court on a motion to withdraw may only consider the plea hearing transcript, and because the new rule is prospective after the date of this decision, we decide this case under pre- Cecchini law. Accordingly, we hold that the trial court did not err in considering the totality of the circumstances at the evidentiary hearing in determining that defendant's plea was knowingly and intelligently entered at the plea hearing. We noted in Cecchini that it was uncertain whether a reviewing court may examine the entire record to determine whether the defendant possessed an understanding of the nature of the charge. Cecchini, 124 Wis. 2d at 211. This court in Spinella v. State, 85 Wis. 2d 494, 502, 271 N.W.2d 91 (1978), however, reviewed the entire record, to demonstrate that the defendant possessed an understanding of the nature of the charge at the time the court accepted the guilty plea. See also, Bressette v. State, 54 Wis. 2d 232, 238, 194 N.W.2d 635 (1972) (the court carefully reviewed the entire record in rejecting a guilty plea challenge). Pre- Cecchini law, including Spinella, indicates that the entire record may be considered. Although we interpreted McAllister to limit an examination of the record to the plea hearing transcript, Cecchini, 124 Wis. 2d at 211, federal case law predating Cecchini suggests that the totality of the circumstances may be considered to determine whether the substance of the charge was conveyed to the defendant. See, Henderson, 426 U.S. at 644. McAllister relied on the Ernst interpretation of Boykin that Rule 11 was mandatory upon state courts as a matter of constitutional necessity. See, McAllister, 54 Wis. 2d at 228. The McAllister court expressed that a trial court's failure to meet its duty to determine the defendant's understanding of the nature of the charge made the plea and the record fatally defective, such that reversal was required. Id. at 230. We have withdrawn the language from the Ernst line of cases which indicates that Rule 11 is constitutionally incumbent upon state courts. Therefore, the mere inadequacy of the plea colloquy does not by itself necessitate withdrawal of a plea. Although McAllister does not expressly address the issue of what part of the record a reviewing court may examine on a motion to withdraw, we overrule it insofar as it infers that a reviewing court may consider only the plea hearing transcript. It still reflects good law to the extent that it states that a trial judge has an obligation at the plea hearing to ascertain the defendant's understanding of the nature of the charge. See, id. at 229. The inquiry on review should not focus on a ritualistic litany of formal elements, but should address whether the defendant received real notice of the nature of the charge. Henderson, 426 U.S. at 644-45. Although a defendant's understanding of the nature of the charge must be measured at the time the plea is entered, Cecchini, 124 Wis. 2d at 210, the reviewing court may look to the entire record to make such measurement. Similarly, case law prior to this decision states that a reviewing court may consider the record as a whole to show that the defendant understood the waiver of his constitutional rights. Edwards, 51 Wis. 2d at 235-36. [11,12] A defendant must ordinarily show a manifest injustice in order to be entitled to withdraw a guilty or no contest plea. State v. Rock, 92 Wis. 2d 554, 558, 285 N.W.2d. 739 (1979). When a defendant establishes a denial of a relevant constitutional right, withdrawal of the plea is a matter of right. The trial court reviewing the motion to withdraw has no discretion in the matter in such an instance. Id. at 559. In this case, the trial court on May 28, 1985, made findings of fact and conclusions of law, including the conclusion that Bangert's plea of no contest was voluntarily and intelligently entered on May 25, 1983. On appellate review, the issue of whether a plea was voluntarily and intelligently entered is a question of constitutional fact. Cf., Miller v. Fenton, ___ U.S.___, ___, 106 S.Ct. 445, 450 (1985) (voluntariness of a confession is not an issue of fact, but is a legal question requiring independent factual determination). We review constitutional questions independently of the conclusion of the lower courts. State v. Woods, 117 Wis. 2d 701, 715, 345 N.W.2d 457 (1984). The trial court's findings of evidentiary to historical facts will not be upset on appeal unless they are contrary to the great weight and clear preponderance of the evidence. Id. Applying this standard to the case at bar and upon review of the entire record, we conclude that Bangert's no contest plea was voluntarily and intelligently entered at the plea hearing. The record reflects that Bangert's counsel described the elements of second-degree murder in a five-page letter to Bangert dated May 20, 1983. The relevant portion of that letter reads as follows: Second degree murder. Second degree murder is committed by one who causes the death of another human being by conduct imminently dangerous to another and evidencing a depraved mind, regardless of human life. The conduct must be dangerous in and of itself, and the defendant must exhibit a depraved mind, which means having an utter lack of concern for the life and safety of another and acting without justification or excuse. However, there does not have to be a specific intent to kill. The penalty for second degree murder is imprisonment for up to twenty years. [7] The letter, which also outlined for Bangert the plea negotiations between the district attorney and defense counsel, was reviewed by Bangert prior to his entering his no contest plea. Bangert's counsel at the plea hearing testified at the postconviction hearing that he believed that Bangert understood that second-degree murder did not require Bangert to admit that he intentionally killed the police officer. We also conclude that Bangert was aware of the constitutional rights which he was waiving. The record indicates that his defense counsel stated. at the postconviction proceeding that Bangert was advised of such rights by defense counsel. The district attorney's questioning of Bangert at the postconviction hearing indicated that Bangert was aware that he was waiving his right to a trial by jury, his right to cross-examine witnesses, and his right against self-incrimination. Bangert testified that his defense counsel explained every right which he would be waiving by virtue of his no contest plea. The defendant also completed and signed a three-page form in which he stated that he did understand the nature of the charge against him. The form identified the constitutional rights which Bangert would waive by virtue of his no contest plea. Bangert marked his initials next to each. of the constitutional rights. Finally, defendant marked' his initials next to the statement reading, I have read this entire questionnaire and understand its contents. I have initialed or completed each item as proof of my understanding. The form bears the signature of Christian R. Bangert and is dated May 25, 1983. Defendant does not claim that the plea hearing was inadequate for reasons other than the trial court failed to engage in a proper colloquy which might have ascertained his understanding of the nature of the charge and determined his understanding of his constitutional rights. We do not review the record for any other purposes, therefore. Under our de novo review, we conclude as the trial court did that Bangert's no contest plea was knowingly and voluntarily entered.