Goodwin v. Knighten
Cases that cite this one
6 later published cases cite this decision.
- Surry v. Colvin (United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia 2025)
- STOKES v. CLERK SUPERIOR COURT OF RICHMOND COUNTY (United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia 2024)
- HORRY v. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia 2023)
- Williams v. Warden, Whitworth Women's Facility (United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia 2023)
- King v. Berry (United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia 2022)
- King v. Brawner (United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia 2020)
This list shows which later cases cite this one. It does not say how they treated it, and no review of that has been done. Not a substitute for Shepard’s or KeyCite — verify before relying.
Opinion of the Court
This is an appeal by the warden from the grant of habeas relief to the petitioner. Knighten, the petitioner, pled guilty but mentally ill to one count each of armed robbery, aggravated assault, and burglary, and was sentenced to serve three concurrent sentences of eighteen years. In granting the petition, the habeas court found: the robbery and assault counts merged, the guilty plea was involuntary, and a factual basis for the plea had not been proven.
The trial court’s findings relative to the guilty plea proceedings are supported by the record. The warden insists a claim of merger is not cognizable under OCGA § 9-14-1 et seq., or, in any event, is barred by the plea. Assuming Knighten could, under a proper plea, be sentenced for both offenses, the determination by the trial court that the plea was involuntary disposes of the issue on appeal.
Judgment affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.