Jamison v. South Carolina
Annotate this CaseRespondent Matthew Jamison pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to twenty years in prison. He did not petition for a direct appeal. Respondent's first application for post-conviction relief (PCR) was denied. Respondent filed a second PCR application alleging newly discovered evidence. The PCR judge granted relief, and the court of appeals affirmed. Upon review, the Supreme Court concluded the PCR court erred in granting relief in respondent's second PCR application. Respondent's PCR testimony revealed that his decision to plead guilty rested on several considerations: the strength of the State's evidence against him, the relative weakness of his self-defense claim, and his counseled determination that it was to his advantage to plead guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter in order to avoid going to trial on the indicted offense of murder. "Respondent is bound by his plea and conviction unless he can demonstrate the interest of justice requires that they be vacated. To grant relief under these circumstances would undermine the solemn nature of a guilty plea and the finality that generally attaches to a guilty plea."
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