Date: 11-18-2024

Case Style:

State of Minnesota v. William Larry Armstrong

Case Number: 27-CR-04-1405

Judge: Not Available

Court: District Court, Hennepin County, Minnesota

Plaintiff's Attorney: Hennepin County, Minnesota District Attorney's Office

Defendant's Attorney:

Click Here For The Best Minneapolis Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory

Description:

Minneapolis, Minnesota criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with second-degree murder.

William Larry Armstrong assaulted his girlfriend's three-year-old son, K.L., causing the child's death. Armstrong was indicted on charges of first- and second-degree murder. See Minn. Stat. §§ 609.185(a)(6)(c), .19, subd. 2 (2002).

In July 2004, Armstrong agreed to a stipulated-facts proceeding, pursuant to Minn. R. Crim. P. 26.01, subd. 3. Armstrong agreed that the district court would try count two- intentionally causing K.L.'s death while committing a felony assault-on stipulated facts. The parties agreed that if the district court found Armstrong guilty, he would receive a 400-month prison sentence. The sentence was an upward departure based on aggravating factors of the child's particular vulnerability, Armstrong's position of trust and authority over the child, and Armstrong's particular cruelty in committing the assault and failing to seek prompt medical treatment. Armstrong waived a jury determination of the aggravating factors. The state agreed to dismiss the first-degree-murder charge if the district court found Armstrong guilty of count two and imposed the 400-month prison sentence.

Armstrong signed a petition to plead guilty to count two, which was done not to plead guilty, but rather to document his jury-trial waiver. The prosecutor noted that the petition-to-enter-a-plea-of-guilty document explained every right Armstrong would have if he had a trial. Armstrong indicated that he understood that, by completing the petition, he was not pleading guilty but was waiving his right to a jury trial.

The district court then asked Armstrong if he was satisfied with his attorneys' representation and satisfied that they knew "every detail that [he felt was] important to [his] side of the case." Armstrong replied in the affirmative. Armstrong agreed to the facts in the stipulation. The district court made the stipulation part of the record and took the matter under advisement.

On July 29, 2004, the district court found Armstrong guilty of second-degree murder. At the sentencing hearing, Armstrong stated that "there's some things that haven't been made known to the [c]ourt" and submitted a written statement to the district court. The district court read Armstrong's statement and made the "written allocution" "part of the public record." Before imposing the 400-month prison sentence, the district court stated: "[T]he deed here was horrific and, in my considered judgment, an evil happening."...

Armstong filed a petition for postconviction relief, which was denied.

Armstrong v. State, A24-0066 (Minn. App. Nov 18, 2024)

Outcome: Affirmed

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

Comments: