Winfrey v. State

304 Ga. 94

FINAL COPY S17G1270. WINFREY v. THE STATE. GRANT, Justice. Appellant Jimmy Carlton Winfrey pled guilty to six counts of violating Georgia’s Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act in connection with a drive-by shooting of rapper “Lil Wayne’s”1 tour bus on Interstate 75.2 Winfrey now appeals, asserting that the trial judge improperly participated in plea negotiations in violation of Uniform Superior Court Rule (USCR) 33.5 (A) and that his plea was involuntary on the basis of that participation. We agree, and we therefore reverse Winfrey’s convictions. 1 Also known as Lil Weezy, Lil…