Ryals v. State
| Docket Number: | 2003-CP-00499-COA | |
| Court of Appeals: |
Opinion Link Opinion Date: 09-07-2004 Opinion Author: Myers, J. Holding: Affirmed |
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| Additional Case Information: |
Topic: Post-conviction relief - Sufficiency of evidence - Voluntariness of plea - Ineffective assistance of counsel Judge(s) Concurring: King, C.J., Bridges and Lee, P.JJ., Irving, Chandler and Griffis, JJ. Non Participating Judge(s): Barnes, J. Procedural History: PCR Nature of the Case: PCR |
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| Trial Court: |
Date of Trial Judgment: 01-18-2003 Appealed from: Forrest County Circuit Court Judge: Jess H. Dickinson Disposition: DISMISSAL OF PCR Case Number: CI01-0116 |
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| Party Name: | Attorney Name: | |||
| Appellant: | Ricky Ryals |
PRO SE |
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| Appellee: | State of Mississippi | OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL BY: JEAN SMITH VAUGHAN |
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Synopsis provided by:  If you are interested in subscribing to the weekly synopses of all Mississippi Supreme Court and Court of Appeals hand downs please contact Tammy Upton in the MLI Press office. |
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| Topic: | Post-conviction relief - Sufficiency of evidence - Voluntariness of plea - Ineffective assistance of counsel |
| Summary of the Facts: | Ricky Ryals pled guilty to capital murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment. He filed a motion for post-conviction relief that was summarily dismissed. He appeals. |
| Summary of Opinion Analysis: | Issue 1: Sufficiency of evidence Ryals argues that, although he pled guilty, the evidence was insufficient to convict him. A guilty plea operates to waive the defendant’s right that the prosecution prove each element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. Issue 2: Voluntariness of plea Ryals argues that when the court asked for his plea he stated that he did not commit the crime. At his plea hearing, Ryals stated that he was competent to enter a plea of guilty, that he understood the nature of the charge against him, that he did, in fact, commit capital murder, and that he was aware of the maximum and minimum penalties that accompany it. Finally, Ryals stated that he was aware that by pleading guilty he was giving up certain constitutional rights. Since Ryals is merely seeking to contradict the testimony that was given during his plea hearing, there is no error. Issue 3: Ineffective assistance of counsel Ryals argues that he received ineffective assistance of counsel because his attorneys failed to adequately review the State’s physical evidence against him and told him to plead guilty in order to avoid the death penalty. Defense counsel was present at the time of the plea hearing. Ryals stated to the judge in open court that he was satisfied with counsel’s performance. In fact, there is absolutely no evidence that would support Ryals’ theory that defense counsel was deficient or that defense counsel forced Ryals to plead guilty. |
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