Judgment rendered March 4, 2020. Application for rehearing may be filed within the delay allowed by Art. 922, La. C. Cr. P.
No. 53,409-KA
COURT OF APPEAL SECOND CIRCUIT STATE OF LOUISIANA
*****
STATE OF LOUISIANA Appellee
versus
DARON DEJUAN ADAMS Appellant
Appealed from the Twenty-Sixth Judicial District Court for the Parish of Webster, Louisiana Trial Court No. 93787
Honorable Michael Nerren, Judge
LOUISIANA APPELLATE PROJECT Counsel for Appellant By: Sherry Watters
J. SCHUYLER MARVIN Counsel for Appellee District Attorney
HUGO A. HOLLAND, JR. JOHN M. LAWRENCE Assistant District Attorneys
Before MOORE, PITMAN, and STONE, JJ. PITMAN, J.
Defendant Daron Dejuan Adams pled guilty to aggravated second
degree battery and was sentenced to nine years at hard labor. He now
appeals, arguing that his sentence is excessive. For the following reasons,
Defendant’s conviction and sentence are affirmed.
FACTS
On April 20, 2018, Defendant shot the victim, Sharman Shehee, in the
head with a handgun. He was originally charged by bill of information with
attempted second-degree murder. However, on April 8, 2019, the state
amended the bill; and he pled guilty to the reduced charge of aggravated
second-degree battery, a violation of La. R.S. 14:34.7. There was no
agreement as to sentencing.
On June 28, 2019, after reviewing a presentencing investigation
(“PSI”) report, the trial court sentenced Defendant to nine years at hard
labor. Defendant filed a motion to reconsider sentence, noting that he was
only 20 years old at the time of the offense and had no criminal history. The
trial court denied the motion without a hearing. This appeal followed.
DISCUSSION
On appeal, Defendant contends that the trial court abused its
discretion in imposing an upper-range sentence on him, a youthful, first
offender. He claims that his impulsive act in shooting the victim was
partially the product of his youth and resulted from circumstances that are
unlikely to recur. He argues that this was a private incident which did not
cause a threat or risk to the general public. He notes that he has accepted
responsibility and is remorseful and argues that based on sentences in similar
cases, a sentence of five to seven years is the highest sentence supported by the facts of this case. See State v. Johnson, 45,111 (La. App. 2 Cir. 4/14/10),
34 So. 3d 1124 (affirming a five-year sentence for a defendant who stabbed
victim multiple times in the face, upper chest and hands after an altercation;
defendant, who was originally charged with attempted second degree
murder, was 22 years old, employed and had no criminal history); State v.
Shabazz, 14-0431 (La. App. 1 Cir. 11/7/14), 167 So. 3d 725 (affirming a
seven-year sentence for a defendant who stabbed victim in the neck with a
cheese knife; defendant was a fourth-felony offender, was in the process of
obtaining an associate’s degree, employed, a parent and served as a Mason).
In response, the state argues that Defendant’s sentence is not
excessive and that the trial court, in imposing sentence, provided reasons and
balanced the circumstances of this case, his background and the need for
public safety.
An appellate court utilizes a two-pronged test in reviewing a sentence
for excessiveness. First, the record must show that the trial court took
cognizance of the criteria set forth in La. C. Cr. P. art. 894.1. The trial judge
is not required to list every aggravating or mitigating circumstance so long
as the record reflects that he adequately considered the guidelines of the
article. State v. Smith, 433 So. 2d 688 (La. 1983); State v. DeBerry, 50,501
(La. App. 2 Cir. 4/13/16), 194 So. 3d 657, writ denied, 16-0959 (La. 5/1/17),
219 So. 3d 332. The articulation of the factual basis for a sentence is the
goal of La. C. Cr. P. art. 894.1, not rigid or mechanical compliance with its
provisions. Where the record clearly shows an adequate factual basis for the
sentence imposed, remand is unnecessary even where there has not been full
compliance with La. C. Cr. P. art. 894.1. State v. Lanclos, 419 So. 2d 475
(La. 1982); State v. DeBerry, supra. The important elements which should 2 be considered are the defendant’s personal history (age, family ties, marital
status, health, employment record), prior criminal record, seriousness of the
offense and the likelihood of rehabilitation. State v. Jones, 398 So. 2d 1049
(La. 1981); State v. DeBerry, supra. There is no requirement that specific
matters be given any particular weight at sentencing. State v. DeBerry,
supra; State v. Shumaker, 41,547 (La. App. 2 Cir. 12/13/06), 945 So. 2d 277,
writ denied, 07-0144 (La. 9/28/07), 964 So. 2d 351.
Second, the court must determine whether the sentence is
constitutionally excessive. A sentence violates La. Const. art. I, § 20, if it is
grossly out of proportion to the seriousness of the offense or nothing more
than a purposeless and needless infliction of pain and suffering. State v.
Dorthey, 623 So. 2d 1276 (La. 1993); State v. Bonanno, 384 So. 2d 355 (La.
1980). A sentence is considered grossly disproportionate if, when the crime
and punishment are viewed in light of the harm done to society, it shocks the
sense of justice. State v. Weaver, 01-0467 (La. 1/15/02), 805 So. 2d 166;
State v. DeBerry, supra.
The trial court has wide discretion in the imposition of sentences
within the statutory limits and such sentences should not be set aside as
excessive in the absence of a manifest abuse of that discretion. State v.
Williams, 03-3514 (La. 12/13/04), 893 So. 2d 7. A trial judge is in the best
position to consider the aggravating and mitigating circumstances of a
particular case and, therefore, is given broad discretion in sentencing. State
v. Allen, 49,642 (La. App. 2 Cir. 2/26/15), 162 So.3d 519, writ denied,
15-0608 (La. 1/25/16), 184 So. 3d 1289. On review, an appellate court does
not determine whether another sentence may have been more appropriate,
3 but whether the trial court abused its discretion. State v. Jackson, 48,534
(La. App. 2 Cir. 1/15/14), 130 So. 3d 993.
A substantial advantage obtained by means of a plea bargain is a
legitimate consideration in sentencing. State v. Mendenhall, 48,028 (La.
App. 2 Cir. 5/15/13), 115 So.3d 727. Accordingly, where a defendant has
pled guilty to an offense which does not adequately describe his conduct or
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Judgment rendered March 4, 2020. Application for rehearing may be filed within the delay allowed by Art. 922, La. C. Cr. P.
No. 53,409-KA
COURT OF APPEAL SECOND CIRCUIT STATE OF LOUISIANA
*****
STATE OF LOUISIANA Appellee
versus
DARON DEJUAN ADAMS Appellant
Appealed from the Twenty-Sixth Judicial District Court for the Parish of Webster, Louisiana Trial Court No. 93787
Honorable Michael Nerren, Judge
LOUISIANA APPELLATE PROJECT Counsel for Appellant By: Sherry Watters
J. SCHUYLER MARVIN Counsel for Appellee District Attorney
HUGO A. HOLLAND, JR. JOHN M. LAWRENCE Assistant District Attorneys
Before MOORE, PITMAN, and STONE, JJ. PITMAN, J.
Defendant Daron Dejuan Adams pled guilty to aggravated second
degree battery and was sentenced to nine years at hard labor. He now
appeals, arguing that his sentence is excessive. For the following reasons,
Defendant’s conviction and sentence are affirmed.
FACTS
On April 20, 2018, Defendant shot the victim, Sharman Shehee, in the
head with a handgun. He was originally charged by bill of information with
attempted second-degree murder. However, on April 8, 2019, the state
amended the bill; and he pled guilty to the reduced charge of aggravated
second-degree battery, a violation of La. R.S. 14:34.7. There was no
agreement as to sentencing.
On June 28, 2019, after reviewing a presentencing investigation
(“PSI”) report, the trial court sentenced Defendant to nine years at hard
labor. Defendant filed a motion to reconsider sentence, noting that he was
only 20 years old at the time of the offense and had no criminal history. The
trial court denied the motion without a hearing. This appeal followed.
DISCUSSION
On appeal, Defendant contends that the trial court abused its
discretion in imposing an upper-range sentence on him, a youthful, first
offender. He claims that his impulsive act in shooting the victim was
partially the product of his youth and resulted from circumstances that are
unlikely to recur. He argues that this was a private incident which did not
cause a threat or risk to the general public. He notes that he has accepted
responsibility and is remorseful and argues that based on sentences in similar
cases, a sentence of five to seven years is the highest sentence supported by the facts of this case. See State v. Johnson, 45,111 (La. App. 2 Cir. 4/14/10),
34 So. 3d 1124 (affirming a five-year sentence for a defendant who stabbed
victim multiple times in the face, upper chest and hands after an altercation;
defendant, who was originally charged with attempted second degree
murder, was 22 years old, employed and had no criminal history); State v.
Shabazz, 14-0431 (La. App. 1 Cir. 11/7/14), 167 So. 3d 725 (affirming a
seven-year sentence for a defendant who stabbed victim in the neck with a
cheese knife; defendant was a fourth-felony offender, was in the process of
obtaining an associate’s degree, employed, a parent and served as a Mason).
In response, the state argues that Defendant’s sentence is not
excessive and that the trial court, in imposing sentence, provided reasons and
balanced the circumstances of this case, his background and the need for
public safety.
An appellate court utilizes a two-pronged test in reviewing a sentence
for excessiveness. First, the record must show that the trial court took
cognizance of the criteria set forth in La. C. Cr. P. art. 894.1. The trial judge
is not required to list every aggravating or mitigating circumstance so long
as the record reflects that he adequately considered the guidelines of the
article. State v. Smith, 433 So. 2d 688 (La. 1983); State v. DeBerry, 50,501
(La. App. 2 Cir. 4/13/16), 194 So. 3d 657, writ denied, 16-0959 (La. 5/1/17),
219 So. 3d 332. The articulation of the factual basis for a sentence is the
goal of La. C. Cr. P. art. 894.1, not rigid or mechanical compliance with its
provisions. Where the record clearly shows an adequate factual basis for the
sentence imposed, remand is unnecessary even where there has not been full
compliance with La. C. Cr. P. art. 894.1. State v. Lanclos, 419 So. 2d 475
(La. 1982); State v. DeBerry, supra. The important elements which should 2 be considered are the defendant’s personal history (age, family ties, marital
status, health, employment record), prior criminal record, seriousness of the
offense and the likelihood of rehabilitation. State v. Jones, 398 So. 2d 1049
(La. 1981); State v. DeBerry, supra. There is no requirement that specific
matters be given any particular weight at sentencing. State v. DeBerry,
supra; State v. Shumaker, 41,547 (La. App. 2 Cir. 12/13/06), 945 So. 2d 277,
writ denied, 07-0144 (La. 9/28/07), 964 So. 2d 351.
Second, the court must determine whether the sentence is
constitutionally excessive. A sentence violates La. Const. art. I, § 20, if it is
grossly out of proportion to the seriousness of the offense or nothing more
than a purposeless and needless infliction of pain and suffering. State v.
Dorthey, 623 So. 2d 1276 (La. 1993); State v. Bonanno, 384 So. 2d 355 (La.
1980). A sentence is considered grossly disproportionate if, when the crime
and punishment are viewed in light of the harm done to society, it shocks the
sense of justice. State v. Weaver, 01-0467 (La. 1/15/02), 805 So. 2d 166;
State v. DeBerry, supra.
The trial court has wide discretion in the imposition of sentences
within the statutory limits and such sentences should not be set aside as
excessive in the absence of a manifest abuse of that discretion. State v.
Williams, 03-3514 (La. 12/13/04), 893 So. 2d 7. A trial judge is in the best
position to consider the aggravating and mitigating circumstances of a
particular case and, therefore, is given broad discretion in sentencing. State
v. Allen, 49,642 (La. App. 2 Cir. 2/26/15), 162 So.3d 519, writ denied,
15-0608 (La. 1/25/16), 184 So. 3d 1289. On review, an appellate court does
not determine whether another sentence may have been more appropriate,
3 but whether the trial court abused its discretion. State v. Jackson, 48,534
(La. App. 2 Cir. 1/15/14), 130 So. 3d 993.
A substantial advantage obtained by means of a plea bargain is a
legitimate consideration in sentencing. State v. Mendenhall, 48,028 (La.
App. 2 Cir. 5/15/13), 115 So.3d 727. Accordingly, where a defendant has
pled guilty to an offense which does not adequately describe his conduct or
has received a significant reduction in potential exposure to confinement
through a plea bargain, the trial court has great discretion in imposing even
the maximum sentence for the pled offense. State v. Givens, 45,354 (La.
App. 2 Cir. 6/23/10), 42 So. 3d 451, writ denied, 10-1584 (La. 1/14/11),
52 So. 3d 902.
La. R.S. 14:34.7(C) provides that whoever commits the crime of
aggravated second-degree battery shall be fined not more than $10,000 or
imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than 15 years, or both.
The trial court did not abuse its discretion in sentencing Defendant to
nine years at hard labor. At the sentencing hearing, the trial court
considered the PSI report and provided detailed reasons for the sentence
imposed. It stated that Defendant had received a substantial benefit in
sentencing as a result of the plea agreement, and noted that he had originally
been charged with attempted second-degree murder. It also noted
Defendant’s remorse and found that he had taken responsibility for his
actions. The victim was not present at the sentencing hearing, but provided
a statement for the PSI report. The victim has significant medical issues as a
result of the offense and asked the trial court to impose a maximum
sentence. Although Defendant has no prior criminal history, the trial court
4 noted the serious nature of the instant charge and stated that Defendant was
fortunate he was not facing a murder charge.
In reviewing Defendant’s personal history, the trial court noted that he
was 20 years old, has never been married and has two children—a three-
year-old son and a one-year-old daughter. He was born in Minden, but both
of his parents died when he was young, so he was raised by his paternal
grandmother in Bossier City. At some point, he moved back to Minden to
live with his cousins. He was expelled from school in ninth grade for
fighting. He never returned to school and did not obtain a GED. He has
held one job, but lost it due to difficulty finding transportation. The trial
court also noted that he admitted he started using marijuana at the age of 15.
Although the trial court did not specifically articulate the La. C. Cr. P.
art. 894.1 factors it considered in imposing Defendant’s sentence, the
reasons stated by the trial court, the record and the PSI report provide an
adequate factual basis for the sentence imposed. The trial court balanced the
serious facts of this case and the damage to the victim against his relatively
young age and lack of criminal history. Further, the midrange sentence is
not constitutionally excessive. Defendant, who was “clearly the aggressor”
in the altercation, shot the victim in the head. Considering the facts of this
case and the benefit he received from the plea agreement and reduced
sentencing exposure, the sentence imposed by the trial court does not shock
the sense of justice, nor is it grossly disproportionate to the severity of the
offense. This assignment of error is without merit.
5 CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, the conviction and sentence of Daron
Dejuan Adams are affirmed.
AFFIRMED.