Court Opinion

ID: 7821671
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-07 17:56:37.554323+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:30:45.241498
License: Public Domain

John I. Purtle, Justice, dissenting. I respectfully dissent from the majority opinion in holding that the stipulation of seven convictions was properly presented to the jury. We do not allow a stipulation by an accused that he is guilty. We require proof to the court that the person is guilty and that he fully understands the rights he is giving up in pleading guilty. As was held in Cox v. Hutto, 589 F. 2d 394 (8th Cir. 1979), the stipulation of prior convictions was the functional equivalent of a guilty plea. Therefore, it reasons that we cannot accept such stipulation without further proof and without the knowledgeable consent of the appellant. It is obvious that the jury was concerned about the stipulation of the seven felonies by inquiring of the court whether such stipulation automatically set the number of convictions at four or more. I think the jury was entitled to know more about these convictions; of course at least three of them could not have been presented to the jury had there been required of the state the proper degree of proof. The number of prior convictions is a factual determination to be made by the jury. Although we have previously reduced the sentence to the minimum allowed for the conviction, such would be improper in this case. Klimas v. State, 271 Ark. 508, 609 S.W. 2d 46 (1980). The state has the same burden of proof in the matter of prior convictions as it does on the case in chief. McConahay v. State, 257 Ark. 328, 516 S.W. 2d 887 (1974); and Leggins v. State, 267 Ark. 293, 590 S.W. 2d 22 (1978). There is no way that I know of by which it can be determined how much reliance the jury placed on the stipulation in reaching the sentences imposed. Obviously they gave more than the minimum and they did find the appellant had committed two or more previous offenses. Although I seriously doubt the appellant will fare as well on a retrial, I am of the opinion he has the right to a retrial because the stipulation on the seven prior convictions are prejudicial.