Martin v. State

On March 12, 1996, Noel Tracy Martin, Jr., pleaded guilty to and was convicted of reckless murder, a violation of §13A-6-2(a)(2), Ala. Code 1975. Martin was subsequently sentenced to 20 years in the state penitentiary. Martin raises three issues on appeal.

I

Martin argues that the trial court abused its discretion in denying his motion to withdraw his guilty plea. He argues that the guilty plea was not voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently made because, he says, he is hearing-and speech-impaired and therefore could not understand the nature of the charges and proceedings against him when he…