Opinion ID: 4401994
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Rejected Plea

Text: ¶5. Although indicted on two counts of assault, the State elected to proceed only on the aggravated assault against Eric, with a five-year sentencing enhancement for using a firearm. See Miss. Code Ann. § 97-3-7(2)(a) (Rev. 2014) (aggravated assault); Miss. Code Ann. § 9737-37(1) (Rev. 2014) (firearm enhancement). A week before the scheduled trial, Parker planned to plead guilty. But at the plea hearing, Parker claimed he had no recollection of the crime. And he maintained he could not verify the State’s recitation of the facts. Under the circumstances, the trial judge determined he could not accept Parker’s plea. At that point, the judge turned to pretrial matters. ¶6. One of these matters was defense counsel’s prior indication that she did not intend to call an expert. At this point, Parker’s counsel clarified that “this is where Mr. Parker and I disagree on the strategies of this trial.” While Parker wanted a mental evaluation, counsel advised him he did not fall within “the parameters that the law requires in order to request a mental evaluation.” Despite the time limit to make such a request having already passed, the person being interviewed be warned that he has a right to remain silent, that any statement he makes may be used as evidence against him, and that he has a right to the presence of an attorney, either retained or appointed). 3 the trial judge permitted Parker to file a motion for a mental evaluation pro se. The judge also set the matter for a hearing the following Monday. The judge advised Parker that he may need to bring witnesses.