X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Blackwell, Justice.In September 2003, Johnny O’Neal Usher pleaded guilty and was convicted of murder, rape, and burglary. He did not appeal his convictions at that time. Fourteen years later, he filed a motion for leave to take an out-of-time appeal, but the court below denied his motion. Usher appeals the denial of his motion, and we affirm.When a defendant seeks leave to pursue an out-of-time appeal from a conviction entered upon a guilty plea, he must show that the claims of error that he would raise in the out-of-time appeal would be resolved favorably to him based upon the existing record. See Mims v. State, 299 Ga. 578, 580 (1) (787 SE2d 237) (2016).[1] Usher has failed to make this showing. In his motion, Usher said that, if he were permitted to take an out-of-time appeal, he would assert that his indictment was defective, that the court below accepted his plea without an adequate factual basis, that his plea was not knowing and voluntary, and that his plea counsel should have objected to the acceptance of his plea. The existing record, however, fails to sustain any of these claims of error.Usher’s primary complaint with respect to his indictment appears to be that the count charging him with murder in the commission of an aggravated assault was not detailed enough, but his “failure to file a timely special demurrer seeking additional information constitutes a waiver of the right to be tried on a perfect indictment.” Dasher v. State, 285 Ga. 308, 310 (2) (676 SE2d 181) (2009). Nor has Usher shown that the indictment would not withstand a general demurrer. About the factual basis for his plea, the record shows that the prosecuting attorney stated an adequate factual basis at the plea hearing.[2] As for the knowing and voluntary nature of his plea, Usher contends that he was “mentally unstable” when he pleaded and “did not know what was going on around him,” but the existing record fails to demonstrate any mental instability or lack of understanding that would call into question the voluntariness of his plea, and the transcript of the plea hearing shows that Usher indicated that he understood what he was charged with as well as each of the rights he was waiving by pleading guilty. Usher also claims that the plea court failed to advise him of his privilege against self-incrimination, but the record shows that Usher confirmed at the plea hearing that he understood his right not to “say, sign, or do anything that will tend to show that [he is] guilty of these charges.” See Mims, 299 Ga. at 583 (2) (a), n.5 (holding that such language adequately advises a defendant of his privilege against self-incrimination). And the record does not establish that Usher was denied the effective assistance of counsel in connection with his plea.Usher has failed to show that any of the claims of error that he would assert in an out-of-time appeal would be resolved favorably to him based upon the existing record. Accordingly, he has not shown that he is entitled to an out- of-time appeal, and the court below did not err when it denied his motion for an out-of-time appeal. The judgment below is affirmed.Judgment affirmed. All the Justices concur. 

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
June 20, 2024
Atlanta, GA

The Daily Report is honoring those attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession.


Learn More
April 29, 2024 - May 01, 2024
Aurora, CO

The premier educational and networking event for employee benefits brokers and agents.


Learn More
May 15, 2024
Philadelphia, PA

The Legal Intelligencer honors lawyers leaving a mark on the legal community in Pennsylvania and Delaware.


Learn More

Atlanta s John Marshall Law School is seeking to hire one or more full-time, visiting Legal WritingInstructors to teach Legal Research, Anal...


Apply Now ›

Shipman is seeking an associate to join our Labor & Employment practice in our Hartford, New Haven, or Stamford office. Candidates shou...


Apply Now ›

Evergreen Trading is a media investment firm headquartered in NYC. We help brands achieve their goals by leveraging their unwanted assets to...


Apply Now ›
04/15/2024
Connecticut Law Tribune

MELICK & PORTER, LLP PROMOTES CONNECTICUT PARTNERS HOLLY ROGERS, STEVEN BANKS, and ALEXANDER AHRENS


View Announcement ›
04/11/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
04/08/2024
Daily Report

Daily Report 1/2 Page Professional Announcement 60 Days


View Announcement ›