Handford v. State

736 So. 2d 1069, 1999 WL 87087
CourtCourt of Appeals of Mississippi
DecidedFebruary 23, 1999
Docket97-KA-01051-COA
StatusPublished
Cited by8 cases

This text of 736 So. 2d 1069 (Handford v. State) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Mississippi primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Handford v. State, 736 So. 2d 1069, 1999 WL 87087 (Mich. Ct. App. 1999).

Opinion

736 So.2d 1069 (1999)

Madison HANDFORD, Jr., Appellant,
v.
STATE of Mississippi, Appellee.

No. 97-KA-01051-COA.

Court of Appeals of Mississippi.

February 23, 1999.
Rehearing Denied May 18, 1999.

*1070 Jerry L. Bustin, Forest, Attorney for Appellant.

Office of the Attorney General by Jeffrey A. Klingfuss, Attorney for Appellee.

BEFORE McMILLIN, P.J., DIAZ, KING, AND PAYNE, JJ.

PAYNE, J., for the Court:

PROCEDURAL HISTORY

¶ 1. Madison Handford, Jr., was indicted on one count for the delivery of cocaine and on a second count for the possession of cocaine with intent to sell. After a trial by jury, the defendant was found guilty of possession with intent to sell and sentenced by the trial judge to fifteen years— the first ten to run consecutively with Handford's previous conviction—the remaining five years to run concurrently with the previous conviction. After denial of post-trial motions, a notice of appeal was timely filed.

FACTS

¶ 2. On May 29, 1991, Officer Faron Gardner and confidential informant (C.I.) Douglas Nichols orchestrated a cocaine purchase from Madison Handford. Prior to the purchase, Officer Gardner gave the C.I. five $10 dollar bills—with the serial numbers recorded. The C.I. was fitted with an electronic transmitting device. Soon thereafter, the C.I. entered Handford's house and asked for some cocaine. Handford exchanged money for a "rock."

¶ 3. After the exchange, Officer Gardner met with the C.I. The two returned to a church where the officer retrieved the cocaine and the listening device. A search warrant was subsequently issued to the officer and executed on Handford's residence. The search recovered sixteen rocks of cocaine which were contained in a matchbox. Handford, who had left his residence prior to the search, was found and taken into custody a short time later. Found on Handford after his arrest were three $10 dollar bills with serial numbers matching those that the Officer Gardner had given the C.I. to employ in the sting operation.

¶ 4. Due to the confusion stemming from the defendant's previous conviction on similar grounds, similar cause numbers, and a *1071 new circuit clerk, the record was lost but subsequently found.

ISSUES PRESENTED

¶ 5. As a preliminary matter, the issues as presented, are taken directly from the appellant's brief.

I. WHETHER THE TRIAL COURT ERRED STACKING SENTENCE IN SCOTT COUNTY CIRCUIT CAUSE NUMBER 4352 CONSECUTIVE TO SENTENCE IN SCOTT COUNTY CIRCUIT CAUSE NUMBER 4351, DEFENDANT BEING AN ELDERLY, SICKLY MALE, THE TWO CONSECUTIVE TERMS BEING OVER 20 YEARS (THIRTEEN LESS THREE, PLUS FIFTEEN LESS FIVE), SAME BEING TANTAMOUNT TO A LIFE SENTENCE, AND BEING MANIFESTLY DISPROPORTIONATE TO THE CRIME CHARGED, AND CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT IN VIOLATION OF THE EIGHTH AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION.

¶ 6. The thrust of Handford's first argument centers on his age in comparison to the sentence imposed. Although Handford's age is not disclosed in the record, he argues that terms such as "middle age" and "sickly" necessarily conclude that twenty years is quite beyond his reasonable life expectancy. There is no proof of age in the record and no citation of authority in his brief to support his contention in regard to the sentence. Thus, we disagree with the argument Handford presents and find it difficult to rule in his favor on this issue.

¶ 7. Notwithstanding the fact that Handford has failed to place his age in the record, had Handford recorded his age in the trial transcripts, his argument may likely have claimed that the sentence imposed was reasonably calculated to be nothing less than a life sentence.

¶ 8. In cases where the judge has in effect sentenced the defendant to a term of years that is basically a life sentence, the rule that governs in Mississippi is the one set out in the case of Stewart v. State, 372 So.2d 257, 259 (Miss.1979). The rule states, "the trial court will make a record of and consider all relevant facts necessary to fix a sentence for a definite term [of years] reasonably expected to be less than life. The court should consider the age and life expectancy of the defendant and any other pertinent facts which would aid in fixing a proper sentence." Id. at 259.

¶ 9. While we have not been notified of Handford's age, there is some evidence which calls our attention to this matter. One officer stated "What's a man your age doing selling drugs?"

¶ 10. In Wilson v. State, 390 So.2d 575 (Miss.1980), the appellant argued that he was approximately fifty years old with a twenty-two year life expectancy. He stated that the sentence imposed was not reasonably expected to be less than a life sentence. Id. at 580. The court affirmed this sentence, stating that the sentence was not excessive. Id.

¶ 11. As noted above, Handford's age is not mentioned in the record. Thus, we are left to address this argument by discerning what "pertinent facts ... would aid in fixing a proper sentence" and whether the sentence imposed is within the statutory guidelines. A pertinent fact which would aid in fixing a proper sentence includes the fact that Handford had been previously sentenced to serve in the penitentiary for the sale of cocaine and apparently performed this task as a means of producing income.

¶ 12. For sentencing purposes, Miss.Code Ann. § 41-29-139(b)(1) (Supp. 1998) allows for the maximum of thirty years and a million dollar fine. Handford was sentenced well within that guideline. The power to prescribe penalties to be exacted from those committing acts which are unlawful under the criminal laws of this state is vested entirely with the Mississippi Legislature. "Purely and simply, *1072 our Legislature fixes the punishments for crimes." Gabriel v. Brame, 200 Miss. 767, 773, 28 So.2d 581, 583 (1947). Sentencing is within the complete discretion of the trial court and not subject to appellate review if it is within the limits prescribed by statute. Reynolds v. State, 585 So.2d 753, 756 (Miss.1991) (citing Reed v. State, 536 So.2d 1336, 1339 (Miss.1988)). The defendant was sentenced well within the guidelines and finding such, this citation of error has no merit.

II. WHETHER GOVERNMENTAL DELAY IN PRESENTING THE APPEAL RECORD, A RECORD EITHER LOST OR PURLOINED WITH NEARLY A TEN YEAR LAPSE BETWEEN CRIME AND APPEAL, PREJUDICED THE DEFENDANT AND VIOLATED THE SPIRIT OF SIXTH AMENDMENT SPEEDY APPELLANT REVIEW, SUCH RECORD SWITCHEROO RESULTING IN HAZED MEMORIES AND LOST EXHIBITS (EXHIBIT 2-5 MISSING, INCLUDING THE ALLEGED MARKED MATCHBOX).

¶ 13. Handford next argues that the State deliberately lost or intentionally hindered his attempt to perfect his appeal and submits that the "complete record with exhibits" cannot be produced. Handford complains that several exhibits are missing from the record, yet does not direct our attention to those exhibits or what information those exhibits contain. As stated in Handford's brief, "the record mysteriously disappeared, its disappearance casting long shadows and graveyard suspicions." Handford cites as his authority Quarles et. al. v. Heirne, 70 Miss. 259, 12 So. 145 (1892) for his argument. Quarles says:

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Bluebook (online)
736 So. 2d 1069, 1999 WL 87087, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/handford-v-state-missctapp-1999.