Scott Leavitt v. State of Mississippi
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IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
NO. 2006-CP-01654-COA
SCOTT LEAVITT
APPELLANT
v.
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
APPELLEE
DATE OF JUDGMENT:
TRIAL JUDGE:
COURT FROM WHICH APPEALED:
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT:
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEE:
NATURE OF THE CASE:
TRIAL COURT DISPOSITION:
DISPOSITION:
MOTION FOR REHEARING FILED:
MANDATE ISSUED:
8/17/2006
HON. ANDREW K. HOWORTH
MARSHALL COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
SCOTT LEAVITT (PRO SE)
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
BY: DEIRDRE MCCRORY
CIVIL - POST-CONVICTION RELIEF
DISMISSED MOTION FOR POSTCONVICTION RELIEF
REVERSED AND REMANDED - 01/29/2008
BEFORE LEE, P.J., IRVING AND ROBERTS, JJ.
ROBERTS, J., FOR THE COURT:
SUMMARY OF THE CASE
¶1.
Scott Leavitt pleaded guilty to four counts of child exploitation, in violation of Mississippi
Code Annotated section 97-5-33 (Rev. 2006), in the Circuit Court of Marshall County. Subsequent
to his guilty plea, Leavitt motioned the court for post-conviction collateral relief, but he was denied
as the trial court opined that his motion was time-barred. Leavitt’s now appeals.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
¶2.
On September 19, 2002, Leavitt was indicted on four counts of sexual battery, in violation
of Mississippi Code Annotated sections 97-3-95(1)(a) and 97-3-95(1)(c) (Rev. 2006), and four
counts of child exploitation in violation of Mississippi Code Annotated section 97-5-33 (Rev. 2006).
On May 18, 2003, Leavitt submitted to the Circuit Court of Marshall County his petition requesting
to submit an open plea of guilty to the four counts of child exploitation. More specifically, he
wished to plead guilty to taking sexually explicit photographs of his girlfriend’s two daughters. The
remaining four counts of sexual battery would eventually be retired to the files by the State.
Following a plea hearing on May 19, 2003, the trial court accepted Leavitt’s open guilty plea and,
after reviewing a pre-sentence report, sentenced him on May 30, 2003, to twenty years per count,
with twelve years suspended per count, and all sentences to run consecutively. Additionally, Leavitt
was ordered to pay court costs and fees totaling $1,250.50.
¶3.
Leavitt filed his motion for post-conviction collateral relief pursuant to the Mississippi
Uniform Post-Conviction Collateral Relief Act, Mississippi Code Annotated section 99-39-1- 99-3929 (Rev. 2007), on May 8, 2006. The trial court denied Leavitt’s request for relief stating:
After reviewing the documents filed by the Petitioner, as well as the court file in this
case, and considering all matters in a light most favorable to the Petitioner, it appears
to the Court that the Petitioner is requesting relief that is time barred. The Court is
of the opinion that the Petitioner is not entitled to the requested relief. Accordingly,
the relief is hereby DENIED.
¶4.
Aggrieved, Leavitt appeals and raises several issues, including ineffective assistance of
counsel; the involuntariness of his guilty plea; and violations of his constitutional rights. He also
claims that the trial court erred by denying his motion for post-conviction collateral relief as timebarred. Finding the trial court’s holding, denying Leavitt’s motion as time-barred ,was made in
error, we reverse and remand for further consideration consistent with this opinion.
ANALYSIS
I.
WHETHER THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DENYING LEAVITT’S MOTION
FOR POST-CONVICTION COLLATERAL RELIEF AS TIME-BARRED.
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¶5.
We begin our analysis of Leavitt’s points of argument with his last enumerated assignment
of error. Namely, he claims the trial court erred in denying his motion as time-barred. After
reviewing the record, we agree.
¶6.
Mississippi Code Annotated section 99-39-5 (2) (Rev. 2007) states, in pertinent part, “[a]
motion for relief under this article shall be made . . . in [the] case of a guilty plea, within three (3)
years after entry of the judgment of conviction.” Miss. Code Ann. § 99-39-5 (2). Leavitt pleaded
guilty on May 19, 2003, and an order accepting his plea was filed the same day. Therefore, he had
until May 19, 2006, to timely file a motion requesting relief under the Mississippi Uniform PostConviction Collateral Relief Act. Leavitt filed his motion on May 8, 2006. Accordingly, his motion
was timely filed, and the trial court erred in holding otherwise.
¶7.
Regarding the other issues raised by Leavitt in his motion for post-conviction collateral
relief, we note that whether the trial court reviewed the remaining issues in holding Leavitt’s motion
was time-barred is ambiguous at best. The trial court stated it was “of the opinion that the Petitioner
is not entitled to the requested relief.” However, the trial court is presumed to have reviewed
Leavitt’s claims in accordance with the statutory mandate of Mississippi Code Annotated section
99-39-11 (Rev. 2007) which states that “[t]he original motion, together with all the files, records,
transcripts and correspondence relating to the judgment under attack, shall be examined promptly
by the judge to whom it is assigned.” Miss. Code Ann. § 99-39-11(1) (Rev. 2007). Furthermore,
a petitioner’s motion for post-conviction collateral relief may only be dismissed “[i]f it plainly
appears from the face of the motion, any annexed exhibits and the prior proceedings in the case that
the movant is not entitled to any relief . . . .” Miss. Code Ann. § 99-39-11(2) (Rev. 2007) (emphasis
added). Therefore, having found Leavitt’s motion was properly before the trial court, we now
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address his remaining issues on appeal in an effort to promote judicial efficiency and provide the
trial court guidance on those issues worthy of further scrutiny.
II.
WHETHER LEAVITT RECEIVED INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL.
¶8.
Leavitt asserts several instances of ineffective assistance of counsel based upon his hired
attorney’s actions and inactions throughout the proceedings in the circuit court. A majority of
Leavitt’s claims of ineffective assistance are totally devoid of merit and will be discussed below.
One, however, requires additional inquiry, and it is remanded to the trial court for further
consideration.
¶9.
All criminal defendants, regardless of the severity of their crimes, have a constitutional right
to effective assistance of counsel. See, U.S. Const. amend. VI. However, in order to succeed on a
claim of ineffective assistance, a defendant must show that “counsel's representation fell below an
objective standard of reasonableness.” Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984).
¶10.
To meet the burden placed upon a defendant alleging ineffective assistance of counsel the
defendant must satisfy a familiar two-step inquiry. A defendant must show not only that his
counsel’s performance was deficient, but also he was prejudiced by the deficient representation.
Jones v. State, 962 So. 2d 1263, 1273 (¶41) (Miss. 2007) (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687). This
second hurdle requires the defendant show that “there is a reasonable probability that, but for
counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different.” Strickland,
466 U.S. at 694. The supreme court has recognized that "a strong presumption of competence exists
in favor of the attorney.” Havard v. State, 928 So. 2d 771, 780 (¶7) (Miss. 2006) (citing Mohr v.
State, 584 So. 2d 426, 430 (Miss. 1991)).
¶11.
When reviewing claims of ineffective assistance of counsel, the supreme court has stated:
This Court looks at the totality of circumstances to determine whether counsel's
efforts were both deficient and prejudicial. “Judicial scrutiny of counsel's
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performance [is] highly deferential.” There is a strong but rebuttable presumption
that counsel's conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable professional
assistance. Only where it is reasonably probable that but for the attorney's errors, the
outcome of the trial would have been different, will we find that counsel's
performance was deficient.
Walker v. State, 863 So. 2d 1, 22 (¶63) (Miss. 2003) (quoting Russell v. State, 849 So. 2d 95, 122
(¶102) (Miss. 2003)). Finally, “[C]ounsel's choice of whether or not to file certain motions, call
witnesses, ask certain questions, or make certain objections fall[s] within the ambit of trial strategy.”
Cole v. State, 666 So. 2d 767, 777 (Miss. 1995) (citing Murray v. Maggio, 736 F.2d 279 (5th Cir.
1984)). With this standard in mind, we will address each of Leavitt’s arguments in turn.
A.
WHETHER LEAVITT’S ATTORNEY FAILED TO INFORM LEAVITT OF THE
ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HIM.
¶12.
Leavitt argues under the headings “Claim One,” “Claim Two,” “Claim Seven,” “Claim
Eight,” and “Claim Nine” that his counsel was ineffective in failing to discuss the elements of the
crime he was charged with, failing to show him statements from the two victims in this case, failing
to discuss the pre-sentence investigation report (PSI) which contained the statements, and failing
to challenge the statements and the PSI as the statements allegedly contained falsehoods. Leavitt
continues that as a result of his counsel’s inaction, in this regard, Leavitt was prejudiced in that he
was not informed of the charges against him and would not have pleaded guilty had he known what
the statements said.
¶13.
The statements Leavitt refers to, as far as the Court can determine, are not statements at all,
but a narrative of the events that led to Leavitt’s arrest taken from the district attorney’s file.
However, the narrative does contain second-hand statements from the children that Leavitt allegedly
photographed. The first statement was from KKH. The narrative states that KKH claimed when
she was eight years old Leavitt began fondling her and, along with KKH’s mother, photographing
her while she was naked. The narrative continued with the statement of the second child, CMH.
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CMH stated Leavitt began fondling and touching her when she was eleven years old, but there is no
mention of any photographs being taken. As taken from the PSI, Leavitt’s version was that his
girlfriend, the girls’ mother, “starting taking pictures of the girls, [and] I never told her to stop.
There was never any force or violence involved.”
¶14.
During Leavitt’s sentencing hearing, CMH, who was eighteen at the time of the hearing,
testified that Leavitt began photographing her when she was six and a half years old, and he last
photographed her when she was sixteen and a half years old. CMH continued in her testimony
describing how Leavitt’s actions, including both the sexually explicit photographs and touching,
affected her life which need not be repeated here. KKH was next to testify. She was seventeen
years old at the time of the hearing. She stated that Leavitt began taking photographs of her when
she was eight years old and stopped when she was fifteen years old. Like her sister, KKH also
expounded upon the effect Leavitt’s actions had on her.
¶15.
Throughout this testimony, which is consistent with the girls’ statements included in the
PSI’s narrative, Leavitt made no objection of any sort on the record. In fact, following the children’s
testimony Leavitt himself testified. At the outset of his testimony the trial court stated, “Mr. Leavitt,
you have pleaded guilty to taking or assisting in taking sexually explicit pictures of these young
ladies that just testified. Can you give us a brief resume of your life, your childhood especially, what
got you to this point?” At this point, which was an opportune time to object to the factual accuracy
of the victim’s testimony, especially given the language used by the trial court, Leavitt made no
objection and spoke only to the tragedies of his childhood.
¶16.
As to Leavitt’s claim that his counsel did not inform him of the charges against him, we note
the language of his petition requesting the trial court to accept his guilty plea. It stated, in pertinent
part, “3. I plead guilty to the charge(s) of (the following hand written) photographing a child in
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sexually explicit conduct as per Section 97-5-33 Mississippi Code Annotated, 1972 (4 counts)
counts 5-8 (the following type written) as set forth in the indictment in this cause number.”
Speaking to this document at the plea hearing, the following colloquy occurred::
THE COURT:
In any event, as I asked you a minute ago, you’re pleading
guilty to four counts of child exploitation; correct?
LEAVITT:
Yes, sir.
THE COURT:
All right. On the last page of the petition, there’s a signature
line that purports to bear your signature. Did you sign this
document?
LEAVITT:
Yes, sir.
THE COURT:
All right. Before you signed it, did you go over it with your
attorney, Mr. Beck?
LEAVITT:
Yes, sir.
THE COURT:
Do you feel comfortable that your attorney has explained to
you what rights you have that you may be waiving or giving
up by pleading guilty?
LEAVITT:
Yes, sir.
THE COURT:
Okay. Did your attorney answer any questions that you had
for him, if any?
LEAVITT:
Yes, sir.
THE COURT:
All right. Did you tell your attorney everything about the
facts and circumstances that gave rise to these charges being
brought against you? Did you tell your attorney about what
happened that caused you to get arrested?
LEAVITT:
Yes.
THE COURT:
Okay. You didn’t withhold anything from your attorney?
LEAVITT:
No.
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THE COURT:
LEAVITT:
¶17.
Okay. Are you satisfied with the services of your attorney in
this matter, feel like he’s adequately and properly represented
you?
Yes.
At Leavitt’s sentencing hearing, the following colloquy took place:
THE COURT:
MR. BECK:
I have read it. Mr. Leavitt hadn’t had an opportunity to see
it. I went over it and told him what was in it. I don’t think
that it poses a problem.
THE COURT:
I want to make sure that he has an opportunity to let you
know if there’s anything in there that he believes to be
incorrect. So - -
MR. BECK:
If we could have five to ten minutes.
THE COURT:
All right. All right. I’m going to stay right here.
MR. BECK:
He’s read it, Your Honor.
THE COURT:
You have reviewed it?
LEAVITT:
¶18.
Also, since the date that the Court accepted your guilty plea,
the Court, at that time, requested a pre-sentence investigation
to be conducted, and I requested the same from the
Department of Corrections, and that had been provided to me.
Has everybody had an opportunity to see and review the presentence investigation prepared by the Department of
Corrections?
(NODDED HEAD UP AND DOWN)
From the record before us, Leavitt’s claims of ineffective assistance of counsel must fail with
regards to the statements of CMH and KKH and the allegations against him. A review of the
statements of the children contained in the PSI and their testimony at the sentencing hearing reveals
no inconsistency. Furthermore, Leavitt had an opportunity to review the PSI and to raise any
disagreement he had with its contents on the record. He voiced none. Lastly, from a review of the
petition seeking approval to enter a guilty plea it is apparent that the specifics of Leavitt’s crimes
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were spelled out. Any claim that he did not know he was pleading guilty to “photographing a child
in sexually explicit conduct” falls on deaf ears. This issue is without merit.
B.
WHETHER LEAVITT’S ATTORNEY WAS CONSTITUTIONALLY INEFFECTIVE
IN HIS INVESTIGATION OF LEAVITT’S CASE.
¶19.
Under the headings of “Claim Six” and “Claim Ten,” Leavitt next asserts that his counsel
rendered ineffective assistance of counsel in failing to properly investigate prior to the guilty plea
and sentencing hearing. He further claims this investigation would have led to additional mitigating
evidence that could have been presented at his sentencing hearing. Specifically, Leavitt lists two
inconsistences in the evidence against him that he alleges further investigation by his attorney would
have illuminated, and by extension, would have assisted in his defense.
¶20.
First, Leavitt states that he did not take any pictures after his heart surgery on November 8,
2000. He claims that as a result of this it is a factual impossibility for him to be guilty of counts five
through eight as they alleged he took the sexually explicit photographs in December 2001 and
January 2002. However, Leavitt failed to sufficiently establish this fact in his motion to the trial
court. He did not include with his motion a “separate statement of the specific facts which are
within the personal knowledge of the petitioner and which shall be sworn to by the petitioner,”
required by Mississippi Code Annotated section 99-39-9(1)(d) (Rev. 2007). Further, he failed to
present any competent evidence to establish the last time he took pictures of the girls, the date of his
heart surgery, or any facts that would lend credence to his current claims of innocence.
Additionally, the record similarly contains none.
¶21.
Secondly, Leavitt claims that there were inconsistencies in CMA’s statement included in the
PSI and her testimony at the sentencing hearing. Specifically, he claims CMA stated that the
photographs started when she was ten or eleven, but later she testified that they began when she was
six. Leavitt’s claims are simply inaccurate. As stated above, in the statement accompanying the
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PSI, CMA stated that Leavitt began touching her when she was eleven, but she made no mention
of pictures being taken. During her testimony at the sentencing hearing she claimed Leavitt began
photographing her when she was six and a half years old. This alleged “inconsistency” is
nonexistent.
¶22.
Leavitt’s claim that his attorney’s alleged lack of investigation constitutes ineffective
assistance of counsel must fail as the record contains no indication in support of it. Leavitt fails to
bring forth any evidence of what this further investigation would have revealed, other than his
claims addressed above, or how this evidence would have aided in mitigation of his sentence. These
issues are without merit.
C.
WHETHER LEAVITT’S ATTORNEY WAS CONSTITUTIONALLY INEFFECTIVE
IN FAILING TO REQUEST A COMPETENCY HEARING.
¶23.
Under the headings “Claim Seven” and “Claim Eleven,” Leavitt next claims his counsel was
ineffective in failing to file a petition requesting an expert in psychiatry to assist the defense and in
failing to request a competency hearing. However, as to his request for a psychiatric expert, Leavitt
puts forth absolutely no evidence, or even argument, of how having an expert in the field of
psychiatry would have assisted his counsel in preparation for a possible trial, his guilty plea, or
sentencing hearing. As such, his claim of ineffective assistance must fail as Leavitt has failed to
meet the first prong of Strickland.
¶24.
As to Leavitt’s other claim regarding the lack of a competency hearing, it too must fail.
Leavitt’s counsel petitioned the trial court for a psychiatric and physical examination of Leavitt,
which was subsequently granted. The resultant report of the Mississippi State Hospital stated:
We are unanimous in our opinion that Mr. Leavitt has the sufficient present
ability to consult with an attorney with a reasonable degree of rational understanding
in the preparation of his defense, and that he has a rational as well as factual
understanding of the nature and object of the legal proceedings pending against him.
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....
Finally, it is our unanimous opinion that Mr. Leavitt has the capacity knowingly,
intelligently, and voluntarily to waive or assert his constitutional rights.
DISCUSSION: Although Mr. Leavitt has reported experiencing longstanding
depressive symptoms, and has reported some recent suicidal ideation, he does not
appear to have a major mental disorder at this time. It also is my opinion that Mr.
Leavitt was not suffering from any major mental disorder at the time of the alleged
offenses such that he would not have known the nature, quality, and wrongfulness
of his alleged acts at those times.
Mr. Leavitt also has reported some problems with his memory. In my
opinion, his reported memory deficits should not preclude him from being able to
discuss his mental state and his actions at the time of the alleged offenses with his
attorney.
¶25.
Given the findings of the Mississippi State Hospital, we find that Leavitt’s counsel was not
deficient in failing to request a competency hearing. This issue is without merit.
D.
WHETHER LEAVITT’S ATTORNEY WAS CONSTITUTIONALLY EFFECTIVE
IN FAILING TO CHALLENGE THE INDICTMENT.
¶26.
Leavitt’s final claim of ineffective assistance of counsel that this Court will address is that
his attorney rendered ineffective assistance of counsel in failing to challenge the indictment under
which he was charged. Under the title of “Claim Fifteen,” Leavitt argues that his indictment
contains several errors that render it invalid. The only alleged error Leavitt speaks to in his motion
was listed as follows:
Count One and Three charge the petitioner with a violation of Section 97-3-95(a),
this section does not exist. Counts Two and Four charge the petitioner with a
violation of 97-3-95(c), this section does not exist. Pursuant to 97-3-101(1) and then
proceeds to state life imprisonment as a possible sentence. Mississippi Code Ann.
§ 97-3-101(3) does list life as a possible sentence for violation of 97-3-95(1)(d).
This being the case defense should prepare to contest the age of the victim’s as being
above 14 as 97-3-95(1)(d) states in pertinent part (d) A child under the age of
fourteen (14) years of age.
¶27.
After examining Leavitt’s indictment we can identify none of the other errors alluded to by
Leavitt. Additionally, notwithstanding the fact that Leavitt now contests the validity of counts
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within his indictment to which he did not enter a plea of guilty to, the errors listed are of no concern.
¶28.
Counts one and three of Leavitt’s indictment allege that he:
did unlawfully, willfully and feloniously engage[d] in sexual penetration with
[CMH], by inserting his finger into the vaginal opening of said [CMH] without her
consent, in violation of the provisions of Section 97-3-95 (a) of the Mississippi Code
of 1972, Annotated, as amended, which offense is punishable pursuant to Section 973-101 (1) of Mississippi Code of 1972, Annotated, as amended, by life in the State
Penitentiary or such lesser term of imprisonment in the penitentiary for not more than
thirty (30) years . . . .
Counts two and four state that Leavitt:
unlawfully, willfully and feloniously engage[d] in sexual penetration, with [KKH],
a child at least fourteen (14) but under sixteen (16) years of age, by inserting his
finger into the vaginal opening of said [KKH], a child who was fifteen (15) years of
age at the time . . . and while Scott J. Leavitt was at the time more than Thirty-Six
(36) months older than [KKH] . . . in violation of the provisions of Section 97-3-95
(c) of the Mississippi Code of 1972, Annotated, as amended . . . .
¶29.
While Leavitt is correct that sections 97-3-95(a) and 97-3-95(c) do not exist, his claim still
must fail. Reference to an incorrect code section within an indictment will not cause the indictment
to be defective so long as the language of the indictment serves to put the defendant on notice of the
charges against him. Culp v. State, 933 So. 2d 264, 277 (¶40) (Miss. 2005). The verbiage of the
indictment closely tracks the specific language of section 97-3-95(1)(a) and 97-3-95(1)(c), with
alteration only for the specifics of the crime charged. Any error resulting from exclusion of the
numerical marker of the specific statute charged was harmless. Therefore, Leavitt’s counsel was
not deficient in failing to challenge the indictment on this ground.
¶30.
Reference to a possible life sentence in counts one and three was also an error in the
indictment. The sentence range listed for violation of Mississippi Code Annotated section 97-395(1)(a) (Rev. 2006) is “not more than thirty (30) years, and for a second or subsequent such offense
. . . not more than forty (40) years.” Miss. Code Ann. § 97-3-101(1) (Rev. 2006). Life was simply
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not an option. As to this error in the indictment, Leavitt claims under “Claim Fifteen” as well as
“Claim Four” that his plea was involuntary as a result of this, and his counsel was ineffective in
failing to challenge this.
¶31.
As to Leavitt’s claim of ineffective assistance of counsel with regard to the sentence error,
we hold that this issue is without merit as well. Had his attorney motioned the trial court
challenging the sufficiency of the indictment on the basis that it listed an incorrect sentence, his
motion would have been denied. As noted above, the purpose of the indictment is to put the
defendant on notice of the charges against him. Culp, 933 So. 2d at 277 (¶40). The indictment in
question satisfied this purpose, and any reference to an incorrect sentence was mere surplusage.
¶32.
We now move to Leavitt’s claim that his guilty plea was not knowingly, voluntarily, and
intelligently given as a result of the sentence error. A guilty plea must be voluntarily, intelligently,
and knowingly entered to be binding on a criminal defendant. Spry v. State, 796 So. 2d 229, 231
(¶6) (Miss. 2001). To determine this, an appellate court must find that “the defendant knows what
the elements are of the charge against him including an understanding of the charge and its relation
to him, what effect the plea will have, and what the possible sentence might be because of his plea.”
Wilson v. State, 577 So. 2d 394, 397 (Miss. 1991). The petitioner carries the burden of proof to
demonstrate his plea was not voluntary, intelligently, and knowingly given. Hannah v. State, 943
So. 2d 20, 25 (¶11) (Miss. 2006).
¶33.
With this standard in mind, we find that it is clear from the plea colloquy that Leavitt has
failed to meet his burden under this issue. Prior to his guilty plea, Leavitt was ordered to undergo
a mental evaluation. The record shows that during his stay with the Mississippi State Hospital, he
was informed that he was facing two life sentences, as well as an additional term of years. As noted
above, this information was incorrect. However, other than Leavitt’s post-plea claim in his motion
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that this had some influence on his decision to pleaded guilty, there is nothing in the record to
substantiate his claim. Additionally, we note solemn declarations made in open court carry with
them a strong presumption of validity. Id.
¶34.
During Leavitt’s plea, the trial court asked, “[h]as anybody done anything to threaten you,
intimidate you, coerce or otherwise force you to plead guilty?” Leavitt responded in the negative,
giving no indication that the erroneous statement of the hospital personnel regarding a life sentence
had any influence on his decision. This issue is without merit.
III.
WHETHER THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN ASSESSING FEES AND COSTS
ASSOCIATED WITH LEAVITT’S HEARINGS.
¶35.
As a part of the order sentencing Leavitt in accordance with his guilty plea, the trial court
assessed court fees and costs against Leavitt in the amount of $1,250.50. Leavitt claims the trial
court erred by not informing him of this “forfeiture” prior to his guilty plea. However, it is clear that
the costs assessed to Leavitt were not a forfeiture as that term is used to imply a condition of his
plea, but the costs are the statutorily imposed costs of participating in Mississippi courts. See Miss.
Code Ann. §§ 9-13-21 (Rev. 2002), 9-17-5 (Rev. 2002), 19-7-31 (Rev. 2003), 25-7-13 (Rev. 2006),
25-7-19 (Rev. 2006), 99-19-73 (Rev. 2007). This issue is without merit.
IV.
WHETHER THE STATE FAILED TO PROVIDE LEAVITT’S ATTORNEY WITH
ALL DISCOVERY.
¶36.
Under the title “Claim Fourteen,” Leavitt claims that “important evidence was omitted from
the discovery.” He argues that computer files were excluded from the discovery his attorney
received. Elsewhere in his motion, he claims that these files were “time stamped.” He further
argues that these “time stamped” files would show that he did not do what he pleaded guilty to and
cites Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963) in support. However, unlike the facts of Brady, Leavitt
fails to include in his motion any proof of his allegations. He fails to provide any evidence that the
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State failed to disclose the files. Furthermore, assuming the files were not provided to his attorney,
Leavitt fails to show how they would have affected his decision to pleaded guilty other than bare
allegations contained within his motion. Without more, this issue is without merit.
V.
WHETHER LEAVITT’S REMAINING ISSUES MERIT REVERSAL.
¶37.
Leavitt’s remaining issues will not be addressed by this Court, and are remanded to the trial
court for further consideration after an evidentiary hearing is conducted in accordance with
Mississippi Code Annotated section 99-39-19 (Rev. 2007). Specifically, “Claim Three” of Leavitt’s
motion alleges that his counsel provided ineffective assistance by not informing Leavitt of a plea
bargain offered by the State. An attached affidavit of Leavitt’s brother substantiates this claim
wherein he states that Leavitt’s attorney claimed he turned down a “twenty year plea bargain”
without consulting Leavitt. It is the duty of a defense attorney “not [to] conclude any plea
bargaining on behalf of the defendant without the defendant’s full and complete consent . . . .”
URCCC 8.04(B)(3). Depending on the specifics of the alleged plea bargain, whether it was timely
conveyed to Leavitt and other factors to be addressed at an evidentiary hearing, a finding of
ineffective assistance of counsel may not be inappropriate.
¶38.
“Claim Five” shall also be examined by the trial court. Leavitt claims the trial court accepted
his guilty plea without first advising him of the nature of the charges against him or establishing a
factual basis for the plea. The following colloquy represents the extent to which the trial court
advised Leavitt of the elements of the crime of which he was charged or delved into the factual basis
of Leavitt’s plea of guilt:
THE COURT:
. . . In any event, as I asked you a minute ago, you’re pleading
guilty to four counts of child exploitation; correct?
LEAVITT:
Yes, sir.
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THE COURT:
LEAVITT:
Yes, sir.
THE COURT:
All right. Before you signed it, did you go over it with your
attorney, Mr. Beck?
LEAVITT:
Yes, sir.
THE COURT:
Do you feel comfortable that your attorney has explained to
you what rights you have that you may be waiving or giving
up by pleading guilty?
LEAVITT:
Yes, sir.
THE COURT:
Okay. Did your attorney answer any questions that you had
for him, if any?
LEAVITT:
Yes, sir.
THE COURT:
All right. Did you tell your attorney everything about the
facts and circumstances that gave rise to these charges being
brought against you? Did you tell your attorney about what
happened that caused you to get arrested?
LEAVITT:
Yes.
THE COURT:
Okay. You didn’t withhold anything from your attorney?
LEAVITT:
¶39.
All right. On the last page of the petition, there’s a signature
line that purports to bear your signature. Did you sign this
document?
No.
Uniform Rule of Circuit and County Court Practice 8.04(A)(3) states, “[b]efore the trial
court may accept a plea of guilty, the court must determine that the plea is voluntarily and
intelligently made and that there is a factual basis for the plea.” URCCC 8.04(A)(3) (emphasis
added). The purpose of this requirement has been aptly stated as such:
to push the court to delve beyond the admission of guilt lying on the surface and
determine for itself whether there is substantial evidence that the petitioner did in
fact commit those crimes he is charged with and is not entering the plea for some
other reason that the law finds objectionable.
16
Reed v. State, 799 So. 2d 92, 97 (¶13) (Miss. Ct. App. 2001). Therefore, the requirement of
establishing a factual basis cannot be satisfied from the lone fact that a guilty plea was entered.
Gladney v. State, 963 So. 2d 1217, 1221 (¶14) (Miss. Ct. App. 2007). The record must contain “an
evidentiary foundation . . . which is ‘sufficiently specific to allow the court to determine that the
defendant's conduct was within the ambit of that defined as criminal.’” Id. (quoting Lott v. State, 597
So.2d 627, 628 (Miss. 1992)). Such is lacking in the record before us. While the testimony of KKH
and CMH during the sentencing hearing, as well as their “statements” in the PSI, provide an
evidentiary foundation, they were not available to the trial court at the time the guilty plea was
accepted.
¶40.
Leavitt’s final issue, identified as “Claim Thirteen,” alleges that his constitutional right to
speedy trial was violated. However, at this time, this issue is moot as Leavitt waived any right he
had to relief based upon violation of his right to a speedy trial. McVeay v. State, 754 So. 2d 486, 488
(¶7) (Miss. Ct. App. 1999). The plea colloquy evinces that Leavitt was fully advised of the rights
he was waiving by entering a guilty plea, to include his right to a speedy trial. Without a finding that
his plea was not voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently entered, or that a factual basis for his plea
was absent at the time it was given, his waiver of his right to a speedy trial stands. This issue is
currently without merit.
¶41. THE JUDGMENT OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF MARSHALL COUNTY IS
REVERSED AND REMANDED FOR PROCEEDINGS CONSISTENT WITH THIS
OPINION. ALL COSTS OF THIS APPEAL ARE ASSESSED TO MARSHALL COUNTY.
KING, C.J., LEE AND MYERS, P.JJ., IRVING, CHANDLER, GRIFFIS, BARNES,
ISHEE AND CARLTON, JJ., CONCUR.
17
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