Opinion ID: 2630937
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Plotner's motion to withdraw his guilty plea was properly denied

Text: Whether Plotner's guilty plea may be withdrawn is controlled by K.S.A. 22-3210(d), which provides, A plea of guilty or nolo contendere, for good cause shown and within the discretion of the court, may be withdrawn at any time before sentence is adjudged. This court will not disturb a district court's decision to deny a presentence motion to withdraw a plea unless the defendant demonstrates the district court abused its discretion. Defendants bear the burden of establishing an abuse of discretion. State v. White, 289 Kan. 279, 284-85, 211 P.3d 805 (2009). `Judicial discretion is abused when no reasonable person would take the view adopted by the district judge.' State v. Ortega-Cadelan, 287 Kan. 157, 165, 194 P.3d 1195 (2008) (quoting State v. Engelhardt, 280 Kan. 113, 144, 119 P.3d 1148 [2005]). Plotner argues he did not knowingly or voluntarily plead guilty as K.S.A. 22-3210 and this court's jurisprudence require. In response, the State argues the contrary, but also claims Plotner failed to adequately brief whether the statutory conditions for accepting a guilty plea were met. An issue not briefed or raised incidentally without argument is deemed abandoned. Cooke v. Gillespie, 285 Kan. 748, 758, 176 P.3d 144 (2008). But Plotner's appellate brief adequately addressed the issue. We reject the State's latter argument without further comment. When evaluating whether a defendant demonstrates good cause sufficient to withdraw a guilty plea under K.S.A. 22-3210(d) factors to consider may include whether: (1) the defendant was represented by competent counsel; (2) the defendant was misled, coerced, mistreated, or unfairly taken advantage of; and (3) the plea was fairly and understandingly made. White, 289 Kan. at 285, 211 P.3d 805; see also State v. Sanchez-Cazares, 276 Kan. 451, 454, 78 P.3d 55 (2003). In reviewing the record, we hold the district court properly considered whether there was good cause to permit Plotner to withdraw his plea. At the hearing on the motion to withdraw the guilty plea, Plotner testified his first court-appointed attorney (Eckelman) never visited him in jail. Plotner claimed Eckelman only met with him twice before his plea, and each meeting was only 15 to 20 minutes in duration. He testified Eckelman never reviewed the police reports with him and refused to watch a relevant videotape. He testified he never asked about a plea agreement, nor had he and Eckelman discussed one prior to the day it was presented to him. Plotner alleged he had no notice of the arraignment date and, upon arriving at court, was surprised to see Eckelman and the prosecutor discussing a plea bargain. After the prosecutor left, Plotner said he and Eckelman discussed the plea for 10 minutes. Eckelman, who by the time of the withdrawal hearing had been replaced by new court-appointed defense counsel, also testified. She contradicted Plotner's account of her representation. She testified she visited Plotner in jail and met with him three times, two of which meetings were approximately an hour in length. She also testified she watched the videotape and discussed with Plotner the overwhelming weight of evidence against him, specifically, that the videotape depicted Plotner and a victim having sex. Eckelman also stated that from their initial meeting Plotner raised the possibility of a plea and that he had always been extremely remorseful, wishing only to get this over with. Her version of the plea negotiation also differed from Plotner's. She said after he arrived at court that morning, she requested that the prosecutor discuss the plea with them both to ensure she had the details correct. She estimated she and Plotner met for an hour before he entered his guilty plea. The plea hearing transcript supports Eckelman's version of the events, showing that she explained Plotner's sentence to him and inquired whether he understood her explanation. She also asked whether he needed more time to make his decision, to which he answered no, and whether he had had access to all the evidence in the case except the videotape, to which he answered yes. She then addressed his mental capabilities. Plotner indicated he was of sound mind and was a high school graduate who had worked in a local company's shipping department for the last 11 years. The plea hearing transcript also shows the district court made its own inquiry of Plotner as K.S.A. 22-3210 requires. The district court asked him whether he understood he had the right to plead not guilty, receive a jury trial, confront witnesses, and potentially be found not guilty if the State did not meet its burden of proof; whether he understood there was no difference in his maximum punishment for entering a guilty plea; whether he felt like he was under any coercion, threat, force, or timetable; whether he understood the possible sentence; whether he was pleading guilty because he believed he was guilty; and whether he understood the consequences of his plea. As to each inquiry, Plotner indicated he understood and answered he was pleading guilty because he believed he was guilty. This exchange also confirmed Plotner had previously received a copy of the complaint, a reading of the charges subject to the plea agreement, and an explanation that the charges were off-grid crimes requiring a life sentence. In denying the motion to withdraw the guilty plea, the district court concluded Eckelman adequately represented Plotner and Plotner made his plea knowingly and voluntarily. The district court based the latter conclusion on evidence that Plotner was informed of all the charges and knew which counts would be dismissed in exchange for a plea and was informed of the possible sentence. The district court found it was clear from the plea transcript Plotner knew his plea would result in a 25-years-to-life sentence. The district court also noted an implication in the record that Plotner viewed the plea as beneficial because it would save his step-daughters the painful experience of testifying. The transcript reflects the district court properly considered whether there was good cause for withdrawal and found none. Further, reasonable people could agree with the district court's assessment. We hold the district court did not abuse its discretion by denying Plotner's motion to withdraw his guilty plea.