Opinion ID: 579754
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Claim of an Off-the-Record Deal

Text: 7 The affidavit and letter of Thomas Hillier which Collins contends support his allegation of an off-the-record deal actually directly refute them. Hillier, who was Collins's counsel, states We had no agreement as to the ultimate disposition of the case. These matters were explained to Mr. Collins. In his letter to Carl Hultman, the state prosecutor, Hillier stated I sat down with Mr. Hogan [the federal prosecutor] to try to dispose of the case. He had little to offer me by way of bargain. He demanded a plea to the charge and would not put a lid on the potential sentence to be imposed by Judge Tanner. (emphasis added). 8 Moreover, the district court could reasonably decline to rely on the averments of Dollie Collins and Annette Harshman. The deal as described by these affiants makes little sense. The state could have had no interest in dismissing unrelated assault charges so that Collins could receive a relatively lenient sentence for slaying one of its citizens. At any rate, they were not present when the actual deal was made. 9 Finally, Collins own actions belie the deal he now claims was made. At his change of plea hearing Collins affirmed that no agreement had been made with the court regarding his sentence. The judge asked Collins if he understood that he could be sentenced to life imprisonment. Collins replied that he did. Moreover, at his sentencing hearing, after the judge told Collins he was going to sentence him to a life term, he asked Collins if he wished to say anything. Collins said, Nothing. Finally, Collins failed to mention the now alleged deal in any of his prior appellate proceedings. Given this, [i]t is impossible to believe that ... [Collins] ... thought he was to receive a sentence of no more than 20 years rather than the life sentence he was given.... Watts, 841 F.2d at 278. His earlier silence refutes his present allegations. Id.