Court Opinion

ID: 3201020
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-05-05 22:06:08.014698+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:28:14.905695
License: Public Domain

Filed 5/5/16 P. v. Hughley CA2/6
                  NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication
or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.

              IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

                                     SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                   DIVISION SIX

THE PEOPLE,                                                                  2d Crim. No. B267149
                                                                           (Super. Ct. No. TA136381)
     Plaintiff and Respondent,                                               (Los Angeles County)

v.

MICHAEL FITZGERALD HUGHLEY,

     Defendant and Appellant.

                   Michael Fitzgerald Hughley appeals an order denying his motion to
withdraw his no contest plea to human trafficking of a minor for a sexual act and
mayhem. (Pen. Code, §§ 236.1, subd. (c)(1), 203.)1 We affirm.
                   We appointed counsel to represent Hughley in this appeal. After counsel
examined the record, she filed an opening brief raising no issues. Hughley filed a
supplemental letter brief. We briefly describe the underlying facts, the procedural
history, the crimes of which Hughley was convicted, the punishment imposed, Hughley’s
contentions, and the reasons his contentions lack merit. (People v. Kelly (2006) 40
Cal. 4th 106, 124.)
                   Witnesses at the preliminary hearing testified that Hughley and Rommel
Jones induced two girls to engage in prostitution. Both men are members of a criminal

         1 All   statutory references are to the Penal Code.
street gang. The girls were 14 and 15 years old. Hughley filmed the girls showering
together. He had sexual intercourse with one of the girls. Jones tattooed one of the girls
when Hughley was present. An expert offered the opinion that Hughley’s crimes were
committed on behalf of a gang.
              The information charged Hughley with 11 felony counts. He faced a
possible life prison sentence. (§ 236.1, subd. (c)(2).) Hughley pled no contest to one
count of trafficking and one count of mayhem in exchange for a 12-year prison sentence
and dismissal of three trafficking counts, two child pornography counts, two pandering
counts, one mayhem count, one count of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor,
allegations that the pandering and mayhem counts were committed on behalf of a street
gang, and that Hughley served three prior prison terms. (§§ 236.1, subd. (c)(1) & (2),
311.11, subd. (a), 266i, subd. (b)(2), 203, 261.5, subd. (c), 186.22, subd. (b)(1)(A) & (C),
667.5, subd. (b).) Hughley’s sentence consisted of an eight-year midterm for trafficking
and a consecutive four-year midterm for mayhem. Hughley was advised of his rights and
waived them in open court. He said that he entered his plea freely and voluntarily.
       After the court entered judgment, Hughley moved to withdraw his plea on the
ground that he did not understand it and it was not what he wanted. The court found no
good cause to withdraw the plea and denied the motion.
              It was Hughley’s burden to demonstrate good cause to withdraw his plea by
clear and convincing evidence. (§ 1018; People v. Williams (1998) 17 Cal. 4th 148, 167.)
Whether to permit Hughley to withdraw his plea was a matter for the sound discretion of
the trial court. (Ibid.) We will not disturb its decision because Hughley does not
demonstrate a clear abuse. Hughley contends his attorney told him he would “get half
time.” But the prosecutor explained on the record that Hughley would serve 85 percent
of the sentence for mayhem because it is a serious and violent felony. Hughley contends
he was coerced because the prosecutor and the court told his mother he would receive a
life sentence if he did not accept the plea agreement. But Hughley told the court that
neither he nor his family was coerced. And he did face a possible life sentence. Hughley
contends he should not have been charged with mayhem because someone else tattooed

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the victim, but he stipulated that the preliminary hearing transcript and police reports
provided a factual basis for the plea.
              We have reviewed the entire record and are satisfied that Hughley’s
attorney fully complied with her responsibilities and that no arguable issue exists.
(People v. Wende (1979) 25 Cal. 3d 436, 441.)
              The order denying the motion to withdraw the no contest plea is affirmed.
              NOT TO BE PUBLISHED.

                                           TANGEMAN, J.

We concur:

              GILBERT, P. J.

              YEGAN, J.

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                               Ricardo R. Ocampo, Judge

                       Superior Court County of Los Angeles

                           ______________________________

            Correen Ferrentino, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for
Defendant and Appellant.
            No appearance for Respondent.

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