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State v. Topasna11/27/2000
In his appeal of the circuit court of the first circuit's May 21, 1999 judgment, guilty conviction and sentence, Defendant-Appellant Alfred Topasna (Topasna) contends that the court abused its discretion in denying his motion to withdraw his guilty pleas.
Throughout his change-of-plea colloquy with the court, Topasna was extremely hesitant and reluctant to change his pleas. Topasna changed his mind immediately after changing his pleas and the next day told his attorney to move to withdraw the pleas. During the hearing on his motion, Topasna steadfastly maintained his innocence.
Upon our review of the record, we conclude that the court, through its change-of-plea colloquy with Topasna, ensured that his guilty pleas were nonetheless knowing, intelligent and voluntary. In doing so, we decide that Topasna's pleas were indeed knowing, intelligent and voluntary, the above circumstances notwithstanding. Hence, we hold that the court did not abuse its discretion in denying his motion to withdraw his guilty pleas.
We therefore affirm the May 21, 1999 judgment.
I. BACKGROUND.
On May 27, 1998, Topasna was indicted for various acts of sexual penetration and sexual contact with his girlfriend's daughter over a span of about four-and-a-half years.
The first two counts of the indictment charged him with sexual assault in the first degree, in violation of Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) § 707-730(1)(b), for sexual penetration of the female when she was less than fourteen years old. Sexual assault in the first degree is a class A felony, HRS § 707-730(2), which carries a mandatory indeterminate term of imprisonment of twenty years. HRS § 706-659.
The third and fourth counts of the indictment charged him with sexual assault in the second degree, in violation of HRS § 707-731(1)(a), for sexual penetration by compulsion. Sexual assault in the second degree is a class B felony, HRS § 707-731(2), which carries an indeterminate term of imprisonment of ten years. HRS § 706-660.
The fifth count of the indictment charged him with sexual assault in the fourth degree, in violation of HRS § 707-733(1)(a), for sexual contact by compulsion. Sexual assault in the fourth degree is a misdemeanor, HRS § 707-733(2), which carries a maximum prison term of one year. HRS § 706-663.
The last count of the indictment charged him with sexual assault in the third degree, in violation of HRS § 707-732(1)(e), for sexual contact by strong compulsion. Sexual assault in the third degree is a class C felony, HRS § 707-732(2), which carries an indeterminate term of imprisonment of five years. HRS § 706-660.
On March 16, 1999, the day jury trial commenced in his case, Topasna pled guilty as part of a plea agreement with the State.
He pled guilty to reduced charges of sexual assault in the second degree in the first two counts of the indictment, and as charged in the following four counts. The deal with the State provided for ten-year indeterminate terms of imprisonment and a five-year indeterminate term of imprisonment, all terms to run concurrently. The State also agreed not to seek extended terms of imprisonment. During the hearing, the trial court bound itself to the plea agreement pursuant to Hawaii Rules of Penal Procedure (HRPP) Rule 11(e)(1). After Topasna entered his guilty pleas, the court set sentencing for May 21, 1999.
On March 24, 1999, Topasna moved to withdraw his guilty pleas. The supporting declaration of counsel averred that Topasna had asked him to move for withdrawal the day after the change of pleas.
At the April 9, 1999 hearing on the motion, Topasna testified that h
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