Opinion
Criminal No. 12-490 (DRD)
05-02-2013
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. NESTOR COVAS-FERNANDEZ [1], Defendant.
ORDER APPROVING MAGISTRATE-JUDGE'S
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION RE: RULE 11 PROCEEDINGS
The Court has evaluated the Magistrate-Judge's Report and Recommendation of the Rule 11 proceedings regarding defendant NESTOR COVAS-FERNANDEZ [1], contained in the Report and Recommendation dated March 18, 2013, Docket No. 30.
The principal consideration is whether that plea was knowingly, voluntary and intelligently made within the terms of Rule 11, United States v. Isom, 85 F. 3d 831, 835-837 (1 Cir. 1996). In order to ascertain whether defendant made a knowingly, voluntary and intelligent plea, the Court of Appeals of the First Circuit has identified three core concerns: absence of coercion, defendant's understanding of the charges and the defendant's knowledge of the consequences of the guilty plea. United States v. Gray, 63 F. 3d 60-61, (1st Cir. 1995), United States v. Cotal Crespo, 47 F. 3d 1, 4 (1st Cir.) cert. denied 516 U.S. 827, 116 S. Ct. 94 (1995).
The Court in examining the three core concerns must "review the totality of the circumstances surrounding the Rule 11 hearing, rather than apply a 'talismatic test'," United States v. Cotal Crespo, 47 F. 3d at 4-5.
The Court having examined the Report and Recommendation of the Magistrate Judge finds that the plea was knowingly, voluntary and intelligent as understood in the terms of Rule 11. The plea of defendant NESTOR COVAS-FERNANDEZ [1], is therefore, accepted and the defendant is adjudged guilty as to Count One (1) of the Indictment.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
At San Juan, Puerto Rico, this 2nd day of May, 2013.
__________________________
DANIEL R. DOMÍNGUEZ
U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE