John B. Ellis v. State of Indiana

SHEPARD, Chief Justice.

Appellant John B. Ellis seeks post-conviction relief, claiming that his guilty pleas to four rapes and related crimes were involuntary because the trial judge rejected the initial plea agreement as likely too lenient and indicated during the hearing the minimum sentence he would accept. We grant transfer to clarify the law about a judge's proper role in such matters, and affirm the denial of post-conviction relief.

Facts and Procedural History

In January 1989, the State charged Ellis with numerous felonies arising from four separate rapes that occurred in Jefferson-ville…