Chapman v. State

The essence of the decision, from which I respectfully dissent, is that the court below was justified in vacating a conviction of second-degree murder for the admitted killing of decedent on the sole ground that defendant in pleading guilty had made a statement of fact which would negate the existence of an essential element of the crime. I agree with the principle that a plea of guilty should not be accepted or, if made, should be withdrawn upon the motion of the court or counsel if such were the case, but I do not agree that this is the case.1

1. Defendant admittedly killed the Reverend…