People v. Snyder

California Court of Appeal Aug 15, 1955 No. Crim. No. 5391Published

Before: Doran

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Holding. The court affirmed the defendant's conviction, finding no merit to the appeal and concluding that the trial judge did not abuse their discretion regarding the defendant's sanity or the acceptance of his guilty plea.

Issues

Whether the trial judge abused their discretion in accepting a guilty plea from a defendant who may have required psychiatric treatment.
Whether the trial judge erred in allowing the defendant to waive counsel despite potential mental health concerns.
Whether the defendant's claims of double jeopardy and court irregularities had merit.

Disposition. Affirmed

Quotations verified verbatim against the opinion

“Since the question whether a ‘doubt’ has arisen as to defendant’s sanity is for the determination of the trial judge, it is only where there is an abuse of that discretion that the trial judge’s action may be disturbed on appeal.”

“There is no merit to the appeal.”

DORAN, J. In the within action the defendant pleaded guilty to attempted robbery. Two prior convictions were admitted.

The appellant, in propria persona, filed a notice of appeal, which is written in longhand by appellant, and is as follows:

‘1 This is my notice of appeal in Case of People v. Snyder— case #169465. Final court decision & sentence was made on Jan. 19, 1955 at 12:30 p m in Dept. 41, Hall of Justice, Judge Harold Schweitzer presiding.

“Given Reasons For Appeal

“#1. Court sentenced defendant without court appointed Psychiatrist yet recommended defendant be sent to Terminal Island Facility of Dept. of Corr. at Terminal Island, Reason therefore being plea of guilty by reason of insanity be entered!

“#2. Court technical immunities in record of plea proceedings held Dec. 29, 1954 in Dept. 44 in favor of offering probationary hearing after defendant waived same because of [80]certain knowledge probation would not be granted on inmate with two prior convictions!!

“#3. During sentencing double jepeordy was prewarned to Court in light that defendant would serve time all over again for time previously served. Time element was shown explicitly—Jan 19, 1955—Dept 41—#169465 People vs Snyder.

“#4. Innumerable Court irregularities in evidence from time of Preliminary Hearing—:#124921 Div 40 of Municipal Court on Dec 14, 1954 to judgment 1/19/55.

“Defendant, Snyder, Geo. E undersigned, being own legal attorney requests all necessary court documents, briefs, plea & oral plea & plea & sentencing & certified manuscripts to assist him in necessary appeal of case #169465; and that said documents be made & sent him free of charge as soon as Clerk of Court is convenienced; said documents to be forwarded & registered to defendant.

“Very truly yours,

/s/George W. Snyder

“#346931 - “Case #169465

“Official Notice of Appeal filed within 10 days limits!!” (Emphasis included.)

A brief memorandum on behalf of appellant was filed by the Criminal Appeals Committee of the Los Angeles Bar Association. Quoting therefrom:

People v. Snyder

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