Supreme Court of Louisiana, 1974

State ex rel. Thomas v. Henderson

State ex rel. Thomas v. Henderson
Supreme Court of Louisiana · Decided October 25, 1974 · Summers
302 So. 2d 30; 1974 La. LEXIS 4119 (Southern Reporter, Second Series)

State ex rel. Thomas v. Henderson

Opinion of the Court

In re: Anderson Thomas applying for Writs of Habeas Corpus and Certiorari.

Writ granted. The indictment for aggravated kidnapping complied with the law in force at the time. See La.R.S. 15:235 (1950). However, an evidentiary hearing is ordered on the issue of a knowing and intelligent plea of guilty.

Dissenting Opinion

SUMMERS, J.,

dissents from the granting of this writ on the issue of the volun-tariness of the guilty plea.

No single fact is alleged to support ap-. plicant’s contention that his guilty plea was *31not freely and voluntarily entered, or that he was unaware of the consequences of his plea. Only conclusory allegations are set forth. In my view, therefore, “it appears by the petition itself or by the documents annexed to it that the person in custody is not entitled to be set at liberty.” La.Code Crim.Proc. art. 354. To require the trial judge to reconstruct the facts surrounding this plea ten years thereafter without the slightest cause therefore is unrealistic and unduly burdens the administration of justice.

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