AI Generated Opinion Summaries

This summary was computer-generated without any editorial revision. It is not official, has not been checked for accuracy, and is NOT citable.

Facts

• The Defendant appealed the denial of his motion to withdraw his Alford plea, arguing that his plea was not knowingly and voluntarily given due to various reasons including lack of a factual basis, assertion of actual innocence, violation of the right to a jury trial, improper charge, breach of agreement terms, lack of jurisdiction, and ineffective counsel.

Procedural History

• [Not applicable or not found]

Parties' Submissions

• Appellee (State of New Mexico): Argued that the Defendant's motion to withdraw his Alford plea should be denied as he failed to establish that his plea was unknowing or involuntary.
• Appellant (Defendant-Keith Russell Judd): Presented numerous reasons for the withdrawal of his plea, including lack of a factual basis, assertion of actual innocence, violation of right to a jury trial, improper charge, breach of agreement terms, lack of jurisdiction, and ineffective counsel. Additionally, argued that his plea was not knowing and voluntary due to evidence of incompetence to stand trial.

Legal Issues

• Whether the district court abused its discretion in denying the Defendant's motion to withdraw his Alford plea on the grounds that it was not knowingly and voluntarily given.

Disposition

• The Court of Appeals affirmed the denial of the Defendant's motion to withdraw his Alford plea.

Reasons

• Per Timothy L. Garcia, J. (Celia Foy Castillo, Chief Judge, and Cynthia A. Fry, Judge, concurring):
  The Court concluded that the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying the Defendant's motion to withdraw his Alford plea. The Defendant's arguments, including the lack of a factual basis for the plea, assertion of actual innocence, and claims of violation of rights, among others, did not establish that the plea was unknowing or involuntary. The Court also noted that the Defendant's argument regarding his competence to stand trial was not considered because it was not raised at the district court level. Therefore, based on the arguments presented to the district court, the decision to deny the motion to withdraw the Alford plea was affirmed.