Whitfield v. State

Kenneth Whitfield appeals his conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He also appeals his habitual offender sentence arising out of a plea on two other counts of the same information.1 We affirm the habitual offender sentence on those convictions. We reverse the conviction for felon in possession and remand for a new trial on that charge only.

During the jury trial, the State sought to introduce a certified copy of one of Wfifitfield’s prior felony convictions in order to establish his legal status as a convicted felon. Prior to trial, Whitfield’s attorney had offered to…