Court Opinion

ID: 9738935
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 20:05:44.055007+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:09.313391
License: Public Domain

MILLER, Chief Justice
(concurring specially).
I agree with the majority that defendant’s Double Jeopardy Rights were not violated. I would not reach that issue, however, since, in my opinion, defendant waived his right to assert that issue. See Brady v. United States, 397 U.S. 742, 90 S.Ct. 1463, 25 L.Ed.2d 747 (1970).
Defendant appeared before Judge Meier-henry on April 23, 1990, for a plea hearing. He told the judge that he had conferred with his attorney and that he understood both charges against him. After he pleaded guilty, his counsel (who represents him on this appeal) specifically advised Judge Meierhenry that there was a plea agreement to the effect that there would be concurrent sentences on Counts I and II *460and that Count III (committing a felony while armed with a firearm) would be dismissed. See McMann v. Richardson, 397 U.S. 759, 90 S.Ct. 1441, 25 L.Ed.2d 763 (1970).
Furthermore, approximately two months later at the sentencing hearing, after conferring with his attorney — at the direction of the court — he indicated that he desired to proceed with the sentencing phase of the proceedings. Judge Meierhenry then gave him precisely what he bargained for, i.e., concurrent sentences on Counts I and II! See McMann, supra, “[wjaiving trial entails the inherent risk that the good-faith evaluations of a reasonably competent attorney will turn out to be mistaken either as to the facts or as to what a court’s judgment might be on given facts.” Id. at 770, 90 S.Ct. at 1448, 25 L.Ed.2d at 773.
In what could properly be called gamesmanship or ambush, some four days after sentencing (!!), he brought on a motion seeking to vacate the concurrent sentences, raising, FOR THE FIRST TIME, the double jeopardy argument. I would hold that his prior plea, pursuant to the specific terms of the plea agreement from which he benefitted, prevents him from making such a challenge. United States v. Broce, 488 U.S. 563, 109 S.Ct. 757, 102 L.Ed.2d 927 (1989).