In re Levine
In re Levine
Opinion of the Court
Petitioner was convicted in Los Angeles County in October, 1951, of a felony, to wit, violation of the Health and Safety Code, section 11715. The crime was eom
Upon the filing of such petition, it was referred to The Honorable Thomas J. Cunningham, judge of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, to determine whether petitioner was denied (1) due process of law by the trial court at the time of his conviction, (2) a hearing on the merits by reason of fraud, collusion, trickery and deceit participated in by the trial judge, the deputy district attorney and defendant’s own counsel who represented him at the time of his conviction. The order appointing Judge Cunningham as referee directed him to hear and consider all material and relevant evidence offered by defendant or by the People with respect to the issue presented by the petition, to the end that this court can determine whether or not a writ should be issued as prayed for and to make findings upon such issues and to return them to this court.
On June 12, 1953, the petition came on for hearing before such referee. The People were represented by Michael J. Clemens, Deputy Attorney General, and petitioner by Attorney Leonard P. Baum, Esquire. By stipulation of counsel, the affidavits of three witnesses on behalf of petitioner were admitted. Each of those affidavits set forth that the affiant had witnessed a conversation between defendant and his current attorney who stated to defendant substantially that if he would change his plea to “guilty” he would be given probation. A sister and a brother of petitioner were sworn to testify on behalf of the latter. Each deposed that defendant’s attorney, in the presence of affiant, had advised defendant to withdraw his plea of “not guilty” and to plead
The findings of Judge Cunningham were filed with the clerk of this court on June 29, 1953, whereupon petitioner was notified to file his exceptions thereto. Pleading his poverty and his ignorance of the law in such matters, petitioner requested this court to appoint counsel to prepare exceptions to the findings and to serve his interests prior to rendition of judgment. After the Committee of the Los Angeles Bar Association on Criminal Appeals had concluded that the findings were sufficient, the court finally obtained the consent of Attorney A1 Matthews, Esquire, to act on behalf of petitioner. But after an examination of the record, Attorney Matthews requested to be relieved of “further responsibilities in this matter” for the reason that after “studying the record, I can find no meritorious basis for the said Exceptions. ’ ’ After Matthews’ release, petitioner asked for the appointment of other counsel to assist him. But by reason of the completeness of the record and the harmony of the findings with the evidence adopted by the referee, the appointment of other counsel would be an idle act.
No basis exists for the issuance of a writ of error coram nolis on behalf of petitioner. His appeal was a legal process to which he was entitled, and he exercised it. He might also have moved for a recall of the remittitur, but having failed to make such motion, his rights will not be extended by reason of his neglect. He was not subjected to duress, was not imposed upon by fraud, was not the victim of mistake—any of which if known to the trial court would have prevented a conviction. No pressure was applied to induce his plea of guilty. Therefore, the issuance of the writ is wholly unjustifiable. (See People v. Knight, 73 Cal.App.2d 532, 535 [166 P.2d 899].)
It is ordered that the findings and conclusion of the referee herein be and they are approved and adopted and the petition for the writ of error coram nolis is denied.
McComb, J., and Fox, J., concurred.
A petition for a rehearing was denied January 6, 1954.
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