Oglesby

Rodney Lyn Oglesby pled guilty to (1) committing domestic violence with corporal injury, resulting in a traumatic condition, (2) aggravated assault, and (3) committing animal cruelty by killing a kitten. He also admitted he inflicted great bodily injury on the victim and he had served three prison terms for which he had not remained free of prison custody for a period of five years.

Pursuant to a plea bargain, the trial court sentenced Oglesby to a total prison term of six years. Approximately two weeks later, Oglesby filed a notice of appeal, but the trial court denied his request for a certificate of probable cause. Oglesby then filed an amended notice of appeal claiming to challenge the validity of the sentencing procedure. Specifically, he asserts the trial court failed to sua sponte hold a second mental competency hearing before sentencing. The Attorney General argues Oglesby’s failure to obtain a certificate of probable cause bars consideration of this issue on appeal. We conclude both parties are wrong, and the judgment must be affirmed.

I

Oglesby and Karen Corbin had been living together for five months before he attacked her. It all began in early October,…