Opinion ID: 1241895
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: glover's pleas

Text: In June 2004, the district court found that Glover had voluntarily pleaded no contest to the charges in the amended information and found him guilty. The prosecutor offered the following factual basis for the pleas: Glover and his codefendant, Damien Watkins, decided to rob Covarrubias, and a gun was drawn as they approached him. The prosecutor stated that the evidence showed Glover had drawn the gun. Although she acknowledged that Glover contested this fact, she stated that both defendants were presumed to be involved in the shooting under an aiding and abetting theory. She further stated that after Covarrubias displayed a knife, Glover shot him in the chest, killing him. Before accepting Glover's pleas, the court asked him if he understood the maximum penalties that each offense carried. The court also stated that if it imposed consecutive sentences, it could sentence him to life plus 100 years' imprisonment. Glover's trial counsel asked the court to clarify that a second degree murder conviction carried a minimum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment. Counsel also asked the court to clarify that a sentence for use of a deadly weapon must run consecutive to the murder sentence. The court verified that Glover's counsel had explained this to Glover and that he understood. The court did not explain the minimum sentences for the offenses of use of a deadly weapon or robbery. It did, however, ensure that Glover understood that he could appeal if he went to trial but that he could not necessarily appeal from a no contest plea. Glover stated that his counsel had explained these facts and that he understood. When asked whether he was satisfied with his attorneys, Glover responded, Not really. When asked why, he stated, Because I just don't feel that they do their best to defend me. The court responded that it would not accept his plea and that the case would go to trial. Glover then stated that he would stand by his no contest plea because he did not want an automatic life sentence.