State v. Hawkins

BOYLE, Justice.

The defendant-appellant, Gary Joe Hawkins, was brought to trial on charges of murder of the first degree, burglary of the first degree, and grand theft arising out of the bludgeoning murder of Anna E. Christensen. Shortly after the state rested its case, but prior to the defense presenting its case, Hawkins entered pleas of guilty to all three charges. Three days later, Hawkins filed a motion to withdraw those guilty pleas. The district court, after careful and extensive inquiry, denied the motion on the basis that the pleas of guilty to the three charges were knowingly,…