Case Information
*1
Filed 04/06/2020 by Clerk of Supreme Court
I N T H E S U P R E M E C O U R T
STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA
State of North Dakota, Plaintiff and Appellee
v. Russеll Frank Craig, Defendant and Appellant No. 20190282
Appeal from the District Court of Burleigh County, South Central Judicial District, the Honorable Bruce A. Romanick, Judge.
AFFIRMED.
Opinion of the Court by Crothers, Justice.
Tessa M. Vaagen, Assistant State’s Attorney, Bismarck, ND, for plaintiff and appellee.
Kiara C. Kraus-Parr, Grand Forks, ND, for defendant and appellant.
State v. Craig
No. 20190282
Crothers, Justice. Russell Frank Craig appeals from an order denying his motion to
withdraw his guilty plea to the offense of murder. We affirm.
I On June 5, 2006, a criminal complaint was filed with the court charging
Craig with murder in violation of N.D.C.C. § 12.1-16.01, a class AA felony . On
January 17, 2007, Craig pled guilty under an open plea. On March 2, 2007,
Craig was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole. Craig testified when
he arrived at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR) he
received a case plan stating he was eligible for parole in 20 years based on his
life expectancy of 67 years less his current age of 44. In 2007 Craig wrote a
letter requesting reduction of his sentence. In the letter Craig wrote the district
court “Currently on a life sentence [I] have to [s]erve 85 [percent] of 30 years.
I would be able to see the p[a]role board in 26.5 years . . . .” The сourt treated
the letter as a motion for reduction of sentence and denied the requested relief.
On November 27, 2017, the Burleigh County clerk of district court sent
Craig a letter regarding a statutory change requiring a calculation of life
expectancy for life sentences with the possibility of parole. On August 17, 2018,
Craig filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea because he believed he was
eligible for parole after 20 years as outlined on his DOCR case plan which
calculated his remaining life expectancy at 23 years, and not 85 perсent of his
remaining life expectancy of 33.8 years under the State’s calculation based on
N.D. Sup.Ct. Admin. R. 51. The district court denied his motion without
holding a hearing. Craig appealed to this Court and argued the district court
was required to hold oral argument on his motion once he requested it. This
Court reversed and remanded for a hearing on the motion.
State v. Craig
, 2019
ND 123, ¶ 1,
[¶4] Craig argues his sentence was illegal, the district court violated the prohibition on ex post facto punishment, and the district court erred by denying Craig’s motion to withdraw his plea.
II
[¶5] Craig concedes he did not raise at the district court the issue of whether
his sentence was illegal or whether the district court violated the prohibition
against ex post facto laws. Although not argued to the district court, this Court
may review the issues for obvious error. “An issue not raised in the trial court
is generally not reviewable on appeal unless it constitutes ‘obvious error’ under
N.D.R.Crim.P. 52(b).”
State v. Sah
,
III Craig argues the district court erred when it denied his motion to
withdraw his guilty plea because he did not make a knowing, intеlligent and voluntary waiver of his rights. The State argues Craig was informed he could receive a sentence from
zero to life without parole. The State argued the fact Craig mistakenly thought he was eligible for parole after 20 years, when the law actually required him to serve 30 years prior to being eligible for parole, does not amount to a manifest injustice. The district court denied Craig’s motion to withdraw his guilty plea. The
district court found “there was no procedural error on the part of the sentencing court. Craig’s argument he was cоnfused at the change of plea is unconvincing. Craig was advised he would be required to serve at least thirty years before being eligible for parole.” The Court explained that Craig was informed at his change of plea hearing that he could be sentenced to life without parole. Craig *4 indicated he understood. Craig also was in the courtroom at sentencing when the State informed Craig he would have to serve 30 years before being eligible for parole, and the letter Craig wrote in 2007 indicated he believed he must serve 85 percent of 30 years. Rule 11, N.D.R.Crim.P., regulates changes of pleas. “The provisions of
N.D.R.Crim.P. 11 ‘are mandatory and substantial compliance is required to
ensure a defendant knowingly and voluntarily enters a guilty plea.’”
State v.
Peterson
,
binding recommendation of sentence and a binding plea agreement under
*5
N.D.R.Crim.P. 11[c].”
State v. Feist
,
“THE COURT: . . . The Court was notified yesterday of a change. Mr. Schwarz contacted my office indicating Mr. Craig desired to change his plea.
Is that the case, Mr. Schwarz?
MR. SCHWARZ: It is.
THE COURT: Okay. Mr. Craig, I want to make sure you understand your rights. If you change your plea here today, you give up those rights that were given to you at your first appearance and then at your arraignment. Those rights include the right to an attorney, which still continue with you even if you were to chаnge your plea. Your right to remain silent. The right to have a jury trial of 12 persons. The right to force the State to prove beyond a reasonable doubt you committed the offense. The right to call witnesses. The right to cross-examine witnesses. Basically, those rights would go awаy and we would move on to sentencing. Do you understand that, sir?
THE DEFENDANT: Yes, I do.
THE COURT: Okay. And is there a recommendation of some sort on the table from the State to the Defense?
MR. RIHA: Your Honor, the Defense is aware of our recommendation.
THE COURT: That’s what I want to make sure. You’re aware of what the State’s going to recommend as a recommendation, Mr. Craig?
THE DEFENDANT: Yes, I do.
THE COURT: And you understand I can sentence you, because it’s a recommendation it’s not an agreement, anywhere from zero to the maximum penalty involved in this case which is life without parole.
*6 Do you understand that, sir?
THE DEFENDANT: Yes, I do.
. . . .
THE COURT: Other than knowing what the State’s going to recommend as a sentence, has anybody promised you anything or threatened you with anything to get you to plead guilty here today, sir?
THE DEFENDANT: No.” Here, Craig has not provided evidence that he did not understand the nature of the sentencing recommendation. Craig entered his guilty plea based on a non-binding recommendation from the State that they would suggest a sentence of life with parole. The State made that recommendation at the sentencing hearing and fulfilled its obligation. At the change of plea hearing Craig entered his open plea of guilty knowing the district court was not obligated to accept the State’s recommendation, and he could be sentenced anywhere from zero to life without parole. Craig received a lesser sentence than the maximum penalty. Therefore, he cannot claim his plea was not knowingly made. Further, the sentencing requirements under N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-09.1
both now and when Craig was charged are clear. When Craig was charged Section 12.1-32-09.1, N.D.C.C., stated in pertinent part:
“Any offender who is convicted of a crime in violation of section 12.1-16-01, 12.1-16-02, 12.1-17-02, 12.1-18-01, subdivision a of subsection 1 or subdivision b of subsection 2 of section 12.1-20-03, section 12.1-22-01, subdivision b of subsection 2 of section 12.1-22- 02, or an attempt to commit the offenses, and who receives a sentence of imprisonment is not eligible for release from confinement on any basis until eighty-five percent of the sentence imposed by the court has been served or the sentence is commuted. In the case of an offender who is sentenced to a term of life imprisonment with opportunity for parole under subsection 1 of section 12.1-32-01, the term ‘sentence imposed’ means the remaining life expectancy of the offender on the date of sentencing. The remaining life expectancy of the offender must be calculated on the date of sentencing, computed by referencе to a recognized mortality table as established by rule by the supreme court. *7 Notwithstanding this section, an offender sentenced under subsection 1 of section 12.1-32-01 may not be eligible for parole until the requirements of that subsection have been met.” [2] Section 12.1-32-01, N.D.C.C., stated: [3]
“1. Class AA felony, for which a mаximum penalty of life imprisonment without parole may be imposed. The court must designate whether the life imprisonment sentence imposed is with or without an opportunity for parole. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 12-59-05, a person found guilty of a class AA felony and whо receives a sentence of life imprisonment with parole, shall not be eligible to have that person’s sentence considered by the parole board for thirty years, less sentence reduction earned for good conduct, after that person’s admission to the penitentiary.” Craig was convicted of a crime in violation of N.D.C.C § 12.1-16-01.
Section 12.1-16-01, N.D.C.C., includes one of the convictions listed in N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-09.1. Therefore, Craig is not eligible for release from confinement on any basis until 85 percent of his sentence has been served. Section 12.1-32- 09.1, N.D.C.C., defines the term “sentence imposed” as “the remaining life expectancy of the offender on the date of sentencing.” The statute directs determination of the life expectancy by reference to a recognized mortality table as established by rule by thе North Dakota Supreme Court. . Regardless of the calculated life expectancy, “an offender sentenced under subsection 1 of section 12.1-32-01 may not be eligible for parole until the requirements of that subsection have been met.” N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-09.1. Craig was sentenced under N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-01 bеcause he pled guilty to a class AA felony, for which a maximum penalty of life imprisonment without parole may be imposed. Section 12.1-32-01, N.D.C.C., requires that any person found guilty of a class AA felony and who receives a sentence of life imprisonment with parole must servе 30 years, less sentence reduction earned *8 for good conduct . (Emphasis added.) Regardless of which life expectancy calculation is used, 85 percent of Craig’s life expectancy calculation is lower than 30 years. Therefore, Craig is required to serve 30 years less sentence reduction earned for good conduct before he is eligible for parole. Before changing his plea, Craig was informed by the court that he was
required to serve 30 years, less sentence reduction earned for good conduct. The following exchange occurred at the preliminary hеaring:
“THE COURT: Before I can accept the waiver of the preliminary hearing, Mr. Craig, I need to ask you a few questions. Do you understand that the charge against you of murder carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment without parole? If you are found guilty and the Court sentenсes you to life imprisonment with parole, there would be a minimum of 30 years before you will be eligible to have your sentence considered by the parole board less any reduction in the time of sentence for good conduct. . . . .
Do you understand the charge against you?
THE DEFENDANT: Yes.”
The court later explained:
“If the Court determines that this sentence should be imposed with parole, you would not be eligible to have your sentence considered by the parole board for 30 years less sentence reduction earned for good conduct after your admission to the penitentiary.” The court then asked, “Do you understand the nature of the charge against you and the maximum and minimum penalties that can be imposed?” Craig responded, “Yes.” Ideally, the district court judge would have informed Craig again at the
change of plea hearing of the 30 year mandatory minimum required under N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-01. Howevеr, that is not required. See Houle v. State , 482 N.W.2d 24, 29-30 (N.D. 1992) (This Court concluded N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-01(1) did not establish a mandatory minimum punishment, but, instead, established a period of parole ineligibility, and the sentencing court’s failure to advise the *9 defendant of a parole eligibility provision did not affect the voluntariness of the defendant’s рlea.). The evidence establishes Craig understood his plea deal, including that
he must serve a minimum of 30 years less reduction for good conduct. Therefore, the district court did not abuse its discretion in finding a manifest injustice did not exist.
IV We affirm the district court’s order denying Craig’s motion to withdraw
his guilty plea. Daniel J. Crothers
Gerald W. VandeWalle
Jerod E. Tufte
Lisa Fair McEvers
Jon J. Jensen, C.J.
Notes
[1] When State v. Feist was decided the numeration of the rule was N.D.R.Crim.P. 11(d).
[2] 1997 N.D. Sess. Laws ch. 135, § 1.
[3] 1997 N.D. Sess. Laws ch. 132, § 1.