State v. Hamilton

HAYS, Justice.

Appellant, Kelly Hamilton, was charged with first degree murder, kidnapping, and armed robbery. He entered an Alford 1 plea of guilty to the first degree murder charge in exchange for the state’s promise not to seek the death .penalty and to drop the kidnapping and armed robbery charges. The trial court conducted a presentence hearing and considered a presentence report, and then sentenced appellant to a term of life imprisonment. See A.R.S. § 13-703.

The period to appeal the sentence and conviction lapsed. Subsequently, the trial court, pursuant to a petition for post-conviction…