State of Louisiana v. John Wesley Billiot

STATE OF LOUISIANA
COURT OF APPEAL, THIRD CIRCUIT

13-1187

STATE OF LOUISIANA

VERSUS

JOHN WESLEY BILLIOT

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APPEAL FROM THE
FOURTEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
PARISH OF CALCASIEU, NO. 07597-11
HONORABLE G. MICHAEL CANADAY, DISTRICT JUDGE

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JIMMIE C. PETERS
JUDGE

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Court composed of Jimmie C. Peters, Billy Howard Ezell, and Phyllis M. Keaty,
Judges.

AFFIRMED.

John F. DeRosier
District Attorney
Karen C. McLellan
Assistant District Attorney
Fourteenth Judicial District
P. O. Box 3206
Lake Charles, LA 70602-3206
(337) 437-3400
COUNSEL FOR APPELLEE:
State of Louisiana

Paula C. Marx
Louisiana Appellate Project
P. O. Box 80006
Lafayette, LA 70598-0006
(337) 991-9757
COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANT/APPELLANT:
John Wesley Billiot

John Wesley Billiot
Louisiana State Penitentiary
Camp C, Tiger 4/R
Angola, LA 70712
IN PROPER PERSON

PETERS, J.

The defendant, John Wesley Billiot, entered a no-contest plea to the offense

of aggravated battery, a violation of La.R.S. 14:34, and, thereafter, the trial court

sentenced him to serve ten years at hard labor with the sentence to run consecutive

to other sentences he received for felony convictions to which he entered no-

contest pleas on the same day. After the trial court rejected his motion to

reconsider his sentence, the defendant appealed. For the following reasons, we

affirm the convictions and sentence in all respects.

DISCUSSION OF THE RECORD

The matter before us is a companion case to two other appeals now before us

involving basically the same issues. However, the appeals are not consolidated as

they each arise from different criminal acts. The connecting link is the fact that the

three pleas arise from the same plea negotiations with the State of Louisiana

(state).

On March 11, 2011, the state charged the defendant by grand jury

indictment with attempted second degree murder, a violation of La.R.S. 14:30.1

and La.R.S. 14:27. He entered a not-guilty plea to the charge on April 11, 2011.

On January 28, 2013, the state amended the bill of indictment to charge the

defendant with aggravated battery, and, on the same day the defendant entered a

no-contest plea to that charge. On April 24, 2013, the trial court sentenced the

defendant to serve ten years at hard labor and ordered that the sentence run

consecutive to the sentences imposed on him for other felonies that the defendant

had entered no-contest pleas to that same day: two counts of armed robbery,

violations of La.R.S. 14:64; two counts of aggravated battery, violations of La.R.S.

14:34; two counts of armed robbery with a firearm, violations of La.R.S. 14:64.3;

and one count of obscenity, a violation of La.R.S. 14:106.

At the time the defendant entered his plea to the charge now before us, the

state provided the trial court with the factual basis in support of that charge. This

factual basis established that on January 15, 2011, the defendant, the victim of the

offense Alex Michael Cook, and a third person were traveling together in

Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. The defendant and the other man stopped in an empty

field located off a state highway, removed Cook from the vehicle, and began

hitting him in the face with an aluminum baseball bat. After severely beating

Cook, the two men fled the scene, leaving the victim in the field. Cook was able to

walk to Interstate 10, where drivers stopped to render aid and found him bleeding

profusely. He was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment of his

injuries. As a result of the battery he received, Cook sustained a fractured

mandible, fractured orbital, and numerous facial lacerations. He appeared to have

been struck by the baseball bat at least thirty times.

On appeal, the defendant asserts that his sentence violates the terms of his

plea agreement and that either the plea agreement should be enforced or he should

be allowed to withdraw his no-contest plea. He also asserts that the trial court

erred in failing to rule on his pro se motion to withdraw his plea.

Assignment of Error Number One

As previously stated, on the day the defendant entered his no-contest plea to

the charge in this matter, he entered additional no-contest pleas in two other

pending matters involving seven additional felony counts. The end result of his

pleas from a sentencing standpoint is as follows:

Trial Court Docket Number 07597-11 (the matter now before us)

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Aggravated battery – ten years at hard labor to run consecutive to all
of the other sentences. (The state had recommended a ten year hard
labor sentence to run concurrent to the other sentences).

Trial Court Docket Number 07619-11

Armed robbery (two counts) – seventy years at hard labor on each
count to run concurrently to each other and to be served without the
benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. (The state had
recommended fifteen years at hard labor without benefit of parole,
probation, or suspension of sentence on each count to run concurrent
to the other sentences).

Armed robbery with a firearm (two counts) – five years at hard labor
to run concurrently with each other, but consecutively with the armed
robbery sentences, and to be served without the benefit of parole,
probation, or suspension of sentence. (The state had recommended
five years at hard labor without benefit of parole, probation, or
suspension of sentence on each count to run consecutive to the armed
robbery sentences).

Aggravated battery (two counts) – five years at hard labor to run
concurrently with each other and concurrently with the two armed
robbery counts and the two armed robbery with a firearm counts.
(The state had recommended ten years at hard labor on each count to
run concurrent with the other sentences).

These offenses were committed on January 3, 2011, and involved
victims different from the victim in the current matter.

Trial Court Docket Number 35370-11

Obscenity – three years at hard labor to run consecutively with the
other sentences and a fine of $2,500.00. (The state had recommended
three years at hard labor to run concurrent with the other sentences).

The defendant was originally charged with two counts of forcible
rape, violations of La.R.S. 14:42.1; and four counts of tattooing and
body piercing a minor without consent, violations of La.R.S. 14:93.2.
The offenses occurred between November 1, 2010 and January 31,
2011, and involved a single victim who was thirteen years of age at
the time of the offenses.

Additionally, as part of the plea agreement entered into between the state

and the defendant, the state agreed not to pursue the defendant as a habitual

offender and to recommend that the defendant receive a combined maximum

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sentence of twenty-five years at hard labor without the benefit of probation, parole,

or suspension of sentence for all of the convictions in the three docket numbers.

At the hearing in which the defendant entered his plea, the state made the

recommendations to the trial court as promised.

In this first assignment of error, the defendant asserts that despite the plea

agreement, his pleas subjected him to sentences totaling eighty-eight years at hard

labor instead of twenty-five years. He seeks either enforcement of the plea

agreement or withdrawal of his plea.

It is well settled that a plea agreement is a contract between the
state and a criminal defendant. State v. Davis, 41,430 (La.App.2d
Cir.11/1/06), 942 So.2d 652. . . . When a plea agreement is breached,
the defendant has the option of specific performance or to withdraw
the guilty plea. State v. Byrnside, 34,948 (La.App.2d Cir.8/22/01),
795 So.2d 435.

State v. Bouwell, 45,635, p. 7 (La.App. 2 Cir. 9/22/10), 48 So.3d 335, 340.

Moreover:

This court has determined when a defendant should be allowed
to withdraw his plea based on a mistaken belief regarding his
sentence:

A guilty plea is invalid, or constitutionally infirm, when a
defendant is induced to enter a plea of guilty by a plea
bargain agreement, or what he reasonably or justifiably
believes was a plea bargain agreement, and the terms of
the bargain are not satisfied. State v. Jones, 546 So.2d
1343, 1346 (La.App. 3d Cir.1989); State v. Taylor, 535
So.2d 1229, 1230 (La.App. 3d Cir.1988), quoting State v.
Dixon, 449 So.2d 463, 464 (La.1984). It is well settled
that if a defendant’s misunderstanding is not induced by
or attributed to representations made by the district
attorney or the trial court, there is no ground for
invalidating the guilty plea. State v. Malmay, 548 So.2d
71, 73 (La.App. 3d Cir.1989); State v. Jones, supra.

It is also well settled that a misunderstanding
between a defendant and counsel for defendant does not
have the same implication as a breached plea bargain
agreement, and this misunderstanding does not render the
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guilty plea invalid. State v. Lockwood, 399 So.2d 190
(La.1981); State v. Johnson, 533 So.2d 1288, 1292
(La.App. 3d Cir.1988), writ denied, 563 So.2d 873
(La.1990). In the absence of fraud, intimidation, or
incompetence of counsel, a guilty plea is not made less
voluntary or less informed by the considered advice of
counsel. See, State v. Johnson, 461 So.2d 1259, 1261
(La.App. 1st Cir.1984).

State v. Readoux, 614 So.2d 175, 176-77 (La.App. 3 Cir.1993).

Additionally, “[a] misunderstanding does not have the same
implications that a breached plea bargain has,” and a defendant may
not withdraw his guilty plea simply because the sentence imposed was
heavier than expected. State v. Lockwood, 399 So.2d 190, 193
(La.1981); see also State v. Robinson, 311 So.2d 893 (La.1975).

State v. Sigue, 06-527, pp. 4-5 (La.App. 3 Cir. 9/27/06), 940 So.2d 812, 815
(alteration in original), writ denied, 06-2963 (La. 9/28/07), 964 So.2d 354.

During the plea colloquy, the trial court questioned the defendant

extensively concerning the voluntary nature of his plea and his understanding of

the role of the court in the plea agreement. Specifically, the trial court asked the

defendant if the plea forms had been read to him and whether he felt comfortable

with the information they contained; and the defendant responded affirmatively to

both inquiries. It informed the defendant of the minimum and maximum sentences

for aggravated battery; and the defendant stated that he understood that penalty

range and that the sentences to be imposed could run concurrently or

consecutively. The trial court further informed the defendant that it was not bound

by the recommendations made to it by the state and that it could impose any

sentence based on the circumstances and facts before it; and the defendant

responded that he understood the trial court’s position on the sentencing

recommendation issue. Additionally, the trial court advised the defendant of his

rights to trial, to confrontation, to compulsory process, against self-incrimination,

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and to appeal the issue of guilt; and the defendant indicated he understood and

waived those rights and stated that he had not been forced to enter his plea.

After finding the defendant’s plea to be knowing and voluntary, the trial

court ordered that a presentence investigation report be prepared. The trial court

indicated the report was necessary to obtain information which would assist in

determining whether or not it would deviate from the state’s recommendations.

At sentencing, the trial court considered all of the offenses together and,

after noting that the defendant was twenty-eight-years old, had completed the

eighth grade, was a tattoo artist, and, after again being reminded that the state had

recommended a maximum incarceration exposure of twenty-five years, stated the

following concerning the sentences imposed:

With regard to sentencing, the Court is required to
review[] article 894.1. I do note that, after reviewing the pre-
sentence investigation, Mr. Billiot was a third-time felony
offender, thereby not being afforded opportunities for probation
or parole. In addition, it says that the Court should impose a
sentence of incarceration if any of the following occur:

Is there an undue risk during a period of a suspended
sentence or probation that he would commit another crime? As
a third offender class, as well as the three offenses before me,
the Court must answer that in the affirmative.

Is he in need of correctional treatment or a custodial
environment that can be provided most effectively by
commitment to an institution? The actions that are before the
Court show a pattern of violent behavior, so the court also
answers that in the affirmative.

Would a lesser sentence deprecate the seriousness of the
defendant’s crime? At this time I have five, basically, crimes of
violence with a firearm enhancement and one crime against a
juvenile before us. Anything less than incarceration would
deprecate.

In looking at the degree of sentence, we look at
aggravating and mitigating circumstances. First, the offender’s
conduct during the commission of the offense manifested
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deliberate cruelty to the victim. I have three different
individuals in two dockets that were beaten with baseball bats
and two of them at gunpoint based on the report and factual
scenario.

Did the offender know or should have known that the
victims were vulnerable? It is noted that under #7619 two of
the individuals were young, 16 and 17 at the time of the
offenses; also, under #35370-11, obviously, a minor involved
with regard to that obscenity charge.

Has he been offered or given something of value for the
commission? Again, the robbery in and of itself, taking clothes,
cell phones, etcetera from the two individuals in #7619 clearly
answers that in the affirmative.

Did he use his position or status to facilitate commissions
of these offenses? Obviously, #35370-11, because of his
relationship with the juvenile’s mother, set up contact with that
individual. And under #7619-11 used that same connection to
set up some type of visit with those younger boys that were
robbed previously mentioned under that docket.

Did he create a risk of great bodily harm to more than
one person? Again, I have three counts of aggravated battery
which in and of themselves create a risk of great bodily harm by
definition.

Used threats of violence in the commission of the
offense; I also answer that in the affirmative based on the
crimes of violence that are before us.

Offense resulted in significant permanent injury;
specifically, one of the aggravated batteries, #7597-11, nine
months of medical treatment as indicated in the pre-sentence
investigation, broken bones, nasal cavity, jaw, etcetera.

Offender used a dangerous weapon in the commission. It
was a bat and a gun in #7619-11, a bat in #7597-11.

Multiple victims or incidents for which separate
sentences are not imposed; significant charges were dropped in
return for the plea that have not been made a part of any
multiple offender bill.

It does appear that he has been involved in similar -- not
necessarily similar offenses, but other criminal activity based
on his third-time felony status.

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While his other felonies basically were crimes of taking,
he had a number of misdemeanor charges that shows crimes
against the person which again show acts of violence.

Offense being a major economical -- again, #7597-11,
the medical history as given by that victim in that matter shows
significant economic. (sic)

Other aggravating circumstances, the problem I have is
the defendant did not contest the facts; and yet, when giving a
statement to the investigating officer, continued to deny being
involved whatsoever in any of the situations when he gave a
statement. I think that was in March of this year.

....

That he did not participate. That was the one where the
individuals gave false names later identified by the victim, and
then the defendant didn’t contest the facts in open court, yet in
his statement he says he didn’t have anything to do with that.

Indicated he was under the influence of alcohol in the
#7597-11, and denied any inappropriate behavior in the
#35370-11, saying he had parental permission.

In looking at mitigating circumstances, the defendant has
no history of prior delinquency or criminal activity; that is more
aggravating than mitigating.

Are circumstances of this conduct likely to reoccur?
Again, more aggravating than mitigating based on history.

Is he likely to respond affirmatively to probationary
treatment? Again, more aggravating than mitigating. He’s had
his opportunity at probation. He was revoked. He’s had two
opportunities at parole, both revoked.

If they were not mentioned, they were considered by the
Court and deemed either insignificant or inapplicable to the
instant offense.

At this time the defendant has pleaded guilty under
docket #7619 to two counts of armed robbery, two counts of
aggravated battery -- pleaded no contest, excuse me, and two
counts of enhancement of armed robbery with a firearm.

The Court, after reviewing Mr. Billiot’s history, as well
as the facts associated with this, indicate that he appears to have
significant issues with regard to violence toward other
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individuals, and it is the Court’s position with regard to the two
counts of armed robbery he’ll be ordered to serve 70 years at
hard labor on each count. They will run concurrent with one
another, and they will be served without benefit of probation,
parole or suspension of sentence. As far as the
recommendation of 15 years, that would be more appropriate
for a first-time offender; and, again, not with one with the facts
associated in this situation.

With regard to 14:64.3, there is a five-year enhancement
associated with each one of those counts. They are to run
consecutive to the armed robbery, but they will run concurrent
with one another. So, at this point he has a total of 75 years at
hard labor, all to be served without benefit of probation, parole
or suspension of sentence.

Under the same docket with two counts of aggravated
battery, it is the Court’s position and, again, it’s based on the
degree of injury and such that he would be ordered to serve five
years at hard labor on each count. They will run concurrent
with one another and concurrent with the armed robbery and
armed robbery with a firearm enhancement. They are subject --
they are with benefit. At this point he would be ordered to
serve 75 years without benefit and five years with benefit total
under that docket of #7619-11.

With regard to #7597-11, aggravated battery, one count,
degree of injuries, involvement in that matter, it’s the Court’s
position that he would be ordered to serve ten years at hard
labor. That is to be consecutive to any other time he would be
required to serve. He is with benefit on that sentence.

Under #35307-11 the defendant, again, the factual
circumstances are significantly heinous in that matter, and he’ll
be ordered to serve three at hard labor, again consecutive to any
other sentence he is serving, and ordered to pay a fine as
mandated by statute of $2,500.

In total he will have 75 years at hard labor without
benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence. He will
have 15 years at hard labor with benefit for a total of 90 years at
hard labor.

It is the Court’s position, Mr. Billiot, that I don’t see any
redeeming attributes in your actions, both historically or with
regard to this matter; and it’s the Court’s position that you will
basically serve out the balance of your life incarcerated. The
crimes of violence are designated under diminution at 85%,
three days for 17, which means you will serve somewhere
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between -- I would say around 85 years with regard to those
charges. On the obscenity 35 for 30 computation, not
designated as a sex offense or crime of violence, approximately
15 months for that.

There was no enhancement under 15:529.1, habitual
offender, or 893.3; but this was enhancement under 64.3 as
mentioned under the firearms enhancement for armed robbery.

Prospective release date, as indicated, probably
somewhere between around 85 years. Again, I would have to
defer to the Department of Corrections to make the actual
computation because a third-time offender, I don’t believe
you’re eligible for parole. However, I again defer to the
Department of Corrections, but obviously some of the offenses
are without benefit and would have to be considered under that.

....

There is other legislative and jurisprudential concerns,
and they will be applied by the Department of Corrections as
they see fit. You are to get credit for time served for any time
you have been incarcerated under these three dockets.

The defendant argues that the voluntariness of his plea must be questioned

given that the length of the combined sentences is more than three times the

combined maximum sentence outlined in the plea. While acknowledging that the

trial court informed him it was not bound by the state’s recommendation, the

defendant argues that because the trial court gave no indication it would reject the

recommendation and triple the incarceration exposure, he was justified in believing

that, at the worst, he would be sentenced in a range slightly greater than the

recommended twenty-five years. Thus, he concludes, this court should either

enforce the plea agreement or find that no agreement existed and allow him to

withdraw his plea.

On the other hand, the state argues that it fulfilled its part of the plea

agreement, and there exists no evidence to suggest that it made any

misrepresentations to the defendant. The state notes that when the trial court
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informed the defendant that it was not bound by the sentencing recommendation,

the defendant confirmed that he understood that statement and made no attempt to

withdraw his plea. Thus, there was no breach of promise by either the state or the

trial court.

We first note that there clearly existed a plea agreement between the state

and the defendant and that the trial court was not a party to that agreement.

However, with regard to this particular charge, the trial court did sentence the

defendant to the recommended ten-year hard-labor sentence. What the trial court

did not do is accept the state’s recommendation concerning running this sentence

concurrently with the sentences for the other charges. Still, this was not a

predetermined sentence, and it is recognized “that the sentencing discretion of the

trial judge cannot be limited by a sentence recommended by both the State and the

defendant. The trial judge may accept or reject a joint sentence recommendation.”

State v. Robinson, 33,921, p. 2 (La.App. 2 Cir. 11/1/00), 770 So.2d 868, 870.

In Robinson, 770 So.2d at 871, the second circuit discussed the distinction

between an “agreed upon plea” and an “agreed upon sentence.” The defendant

therein agreed to plead guilty to two counts of simple burglary, a lesser crime than

the original charge. The state recommended the sentences be served concurrently,

but that was not noted in the written plea agreement. When the defendant

complained that he did not receive the agreed upon sentence, the second circuit

noted that there was only an agreement for the state to make a particular

recommendation, not an agreement to a particular sentence, and it affirmed the

sentence. Likewise, in State v. Higginbotham, 03-49 (La.App. 3 Cir. 4/30/03), 843

So.2d 1230, the state recommended that the defendant’s sentences run

concurrently. Because the plea agreement contained an “agreed upon plea” and
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not an “agreed upon sentence,” this court found the plea agreement was not

breached when the trial court did not follow the sentencing recommendation.

In State v. Guilbeau, 10-511 (La.App. 3 Cir. 12/8/10), 52 So.3d 310, writ

denied, 11-89 (La. 5/20/11), 63 So.3d 973, the defendant alleged that he entered

into the plea agreement solely because he believed he would receive a concurrent

five-year sentence. However, that was not a part of the plea agreement. This court

noted that the trial court told the defendant that the sentence to which the state and

his counsel agreed was only a recommendation, one it was not required to follow.

The defendant said he understood and proceeded with his guilty plea. This court

found the defendant’s plea bargain was never based on an agreement that he would

receive a five-year sentence; rather, it was based on the agreement that the state

and defense counsel would jointly make that recommendation to the trial court.

The promise to the defendant was fulfilled, and the trial court acted within its

discretion in opting not to follow the sentencing recommendation. Accordingly,

the defendant could not withdraw his plea simply because the sentence he received

turned out to be more than the sentence he expected.

The defendant in the matter before us was advised of the rights he waived by

a plea of no contest, the sentencing range for aggravated battery, and of the trial

court’s discretion to disregard the sentencing recommendation. The trial court

found his plea to be knowing and voluntary based on the defendant’s indication

that he understood the matters explained to him.

We find that the defendant’s plea was knowingly and voluntarily made

under these facts. His plea bargain was never based on an agreement that he would

receive a specific sentence; rather, it was based on the agreement that the state

would make a sentencing recommendation to the trial court. The state fulfilled its
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promise to the defendant, and the trial court acted within its discretion in choosing

not to follow the sentencing recommendation. We find no merit in this assignment

of error.

Assignment of Error Number Two

On the same day he was sentenced, the defendant filed two pro se motions

with the trial court. One addressed his desire to have his trial attorney “recused”

from his representation, and the other requested that he be allowed to withdraw his

plea. In both motions, the complaints were the same: (1) the defendant’s trial

counsel was ineffective in that she refused to represent the defendant if he chose to

go to trial; (2) his trial counsel coerced him into taking a plea; (3) his trial counsel

was ineffective in that she returned his file after he entered a plea and stated she

was glad to be rid of it; and (4) his trial counsel acted under a conflict of interest

and failed to give him a copy of a statement as part of the original discovery.

At the beginning of the April 24, 2013 sentencing hearing, the trial court

noted the defendant’s motion to recuse his counsel, but did not mention the motion

to withdraw the plea. When asked to address his complaints, the defendant

asserted that the copy of discovery material provided him by his trial counsel after

entering his pleas contained more pages than the original discovery material he had

been provided, including statements of codefendants he had not previously seen.

However, when further questioned by the trial court, he could not say whether the

statements were helpful or hurtful to his case, and his complaint was simply that

they were not present in the original discovery package provided to him. When

asked whether he thought he might have a defense to the charge or charges, the

defendant could only respond, “I’m just saying I just want everything to be fair,

that’s all.” With regard to the defendant’s complaint that his trial counsel was not
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giving her best efforts because she was not being paid enough, all the defendant

could do was refer to his motion and say, “It’s all there.”

The defendant’s trial counsel then informed the trial court that she was a

conflict counsel with the Calcasieu Parish Public Defender’s office, and she

handled this case and all others on a straight salary basis. That is to say, regardless

of the number of cases assigned to her, she was paid the same amount per month.

With regard to the discovery issue, the defendant’s trial counsel informed the trial

court that she became the defendant’s counsel after initial extensive discovery had

been provided to him, and, when she went through the discovery, she recognized

that two pages were missing. She located the two pages and inserted them in her

discovery file. After the defendant entered his pleas and before sentencing, she

gave the defendant her copy of discovery for the singular reason that she no longer

needed it. She suggested that the two missing pages were “interesting” but not

“particularly significant” to the case. She concluded that the failure of the state to

provide the two pages was a copying error and not intentional.

Following up on this information, the trial court had the following exchange

with the defendant:

THE COURT:

I’m just going from recollection, but when I reviewed the
charges at one time you had a couple of charges that carried with them
life sentences that were taken or removed by the State in consideration
for your pleas.

MR. BILLIOT:

Yes, sir.

THE COURT:

And you were number one on the docket that week to either go
to trial or to resolve those matters. And, when the facts were given,
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you stated before me that you admitted to those facts; and, now you
are telling me you don’t admit to those facts?

MR. BILLIOT:

I’m not stating nothing. I’m just trying to make everything fair.
That’s all.

The trial court then stated, “I don’t find a valid reason for recusal.”

On appeal, the defendant argues that the trial court erred in failing to rule on

his motion to withdraw his plea. The state, on the other hand, asserts the defendant

presented nothing to the trial court that would provide a basis for the withdrawal of

his plea.

We agree with the state’s position. The issues raised in both motions were

exactly the same, and we find that the trial court impliedly denied the motion to

withdraw the no-contest plea when it denied the motion to recuse counsel. To rule

otherwise and remand for an express ruling on that motion would be an exercise in

futility.

DISPOSITION

For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the defendant’s conviction and

sentence in all respects.

AFFIRMED.

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