Montgomery v. State
Montgomery v. State
Opinion
Mack Montgomery, Jr. was charged in a seven-count indictment with attempted murder in violation of §
The victim, a 73-year-old widow who had known the appellant since he was a child, positively identified this appellant as the perpetrator of the offenses for which he was convicted. Her testimony, detailing the events which lead to this appellant's arrest, was thoroughly corroborated by several State's witnesses.
The evidence tended to show that the victim was awakened from her sleep by an *Page 372 intruder in her home in Atmore, Alabama in September, 1985. She attempted to scare the intruder away by firing her pistol. The intruder, identified by the victim as being this appellant, then grabbed the gun away and asked for money. The appellant then grabbed the victim's purse and started going through it. He then raped the victim. The appellant then forced the victim outside and into her car and drove to Robinsonville where he parked the car and raped the victim again.
The appellant told the victim to lie down on the ground, shot her twice in the head and then left in her automobile. The victim crawled toward a street light for help. She was discovered by Willard Posey and his wife, who called the police and an ambulance.
Although the appellant claims that he did not receive notice, the record reveals that a "Notice of Prior Convictions"was filed in the clerk's office on November 21, 1985 and the certificate of service was mailed to the appellant and hisappointed attorney on November 22, 1985. (R. 184-186). The sentence hearing was held immediately following the appellant's conviction on March 18, 1986.
The appellant's retained counsel argues that it was impossible for him to have received the notice since he did not file an appearance in the case until December 11, 1985. We find this argument unpersuasive. Certainly notice was available to the appellant; at the very least, appellant's retained counsel may be presumed to be aware of that which is part of the court's record. We believe that the appellant was afforded the reasonable notice and opportunity to be heard as contemplated within the statute. See Holley v. State,
We note that it is the appellant's responsibility to provide a complete record on appeal. See Welch v. State,
In addition, we note that the defendant bears the burden of presenting evidence of lack of representation. Appellant failed to meet his burden in this respect. Meadows v. State,
Moreover, the appellant's contention is not supported by the record. The reporter's transcript reveals that the exhibits offered were certified minute entries which reflected that the appellant was, indeed, represented by an attorney with respect to the prior convictions. (R. 186) It is well-settled that this is a proper method for proving prior convictions under the Habitual Felony Offender Statute. See Williams v. State,
The appellant relies on Ex Parte Pate,
In Pate, this court stated that "where a prosecution witness has testified on direct examination in the trial of the case. . . . the defendant, upon laying a proper predicate, is entitled to have the Court, at least, conduct an in camera inspection as outlined in Palermo v. United States,
Although the appellant did not lay a proper predicate as required by Pate, the trial judge nevertheless conducted a hearing on the matter and determined that the appellant was not entitled to production of the statement. (R. 109).
The production for inspection of the statement lies within the sound discretion of the trial judge. Pate, supra. In light of the complete lack of evidence indicating that the statement of the victim was crucial to her thorough cross-examination, and the appellant's failure to include the transcript of the hearing within the record, we do not consider it necessary to review the trial court's decision. See Welch, supra.
Furthermore, even had the trial judge's ruling, with respect to the production of the statement, been erroneous, we cannot conclude in view of the overwhelming evidence against the appellant in this case that the failure to produce it would have resulted in substantial prejudice to this appellant. Rule 45, A.R.A.P.
We have reviewed the evidence presented by the State and find it more than sufficient. For the above stated reasons, this cause is due to be and is, hereby, affirmed.
AFFIRMED.
All the Judges concur.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- MacK Montgomery, Jr., Alias v. State.
- Cited By
- 25 cases
- Status
- Published