People v. Rhoades

Robert Ben Rhoades (defendant), pursuant to negotiations with the State, on September 11, 1992, pied guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to imprisonment for natural life. The sentence of death had been a possibility because on May 6, 1992, the State had filed a notice that it intended to seek the death penalty. This is defendant’s third appeal to this court. Due to the procedural history of this case, this is a direct appeal from defendant’s conviction. On this appeal, defendant initially contended that the circuit court erred in refusing to allow him to file a motion to withdraw…