People v. Coulter

Opinion

YEGAN, J.

— Here we hold that in accepting a guilty plea, a trial court, with the express or implied consent of the defendant, may put the issue of a factual basis for the plea over to the sentencing hearing. As we shall explain, in this situation the reason for the rule is satisfied and any error in the timing of the inquiry is harmless.

Jack Henry Coulter appeals his convictions by plea of first degree murder (Pen. Code, §§ 187, subd. (a), 189), 1 two counts of attempted robbery (§§ 664, 211), and two counts of assault with a firearm (§ 245, subd. (a)(2)). Pursuant to the negotiated…