State of Louisiana v. Gus Jerrod Melbert

• Court: Louisiana Court of Appeal
• Decided: November 6, 2013
• Docket: KA-0013-0565
• Status: Unknown

Opinion

NOT DESIGNATED FOR PUBLICATION

STATE OF LOUISIANA COURT OF APPEAL, THIRD CIRCUIT

13-565

STATE OF LOUISIANA

VERSUS

GUS JERROD MELBERT

**********

APPEAL FROM THE THIRTY-THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF ALLEN, NO. 2012-1295 HONORABLE PATRICIA C. COLE, DISTRICT JUDGE

PHYLLIS M. KEATY JUDGE

Court composed of Ulysses Gene Thibodeaux, Chief Judge, John D. Saunders, and Phyllis M. Keaty, Judges.

AFFIRMED.

Paula C. Marx Louisiana Appellate Project Post Office Box 80006 Lafayette, Louisiana 70598-0006 (337) 991-9757 Counsel for Defendant Appellant: Gus Jerrod Melbert H. Todd Nesom District Attorney Joe Green Assistant District Attorney Post Office Box 839 Oberlin, Louisiana 70655 (337) 639-2641 Counsel for Appellee: State of Louisiana KEATY, Judge.

Defendant, Gus Jerrod Melbert, appeals his sentence as excessive. He

further appeals his alleged uninformed and involuntary plea. For the following

reasons, we affirm.

PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

On August 11, 2011, Allen Parish Sheriff‘s Department Narcotics Task

Force executed a search warrant at 111 South 16th Street in Oakdale. After their

search, they found a quantity of marijuana along with a substantial amount of crack

cocaine in rock form for street sale. They also found a knife with residue for

cutting crack cocaine, glass with residue, and $1,322 in small bills. Defendant

admitted that the drugs were his.

Defendant was subsequently charged as follows: Count (1), possession with

the intent to distribute a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, i.e., cocaine,

in violation of La.R.S. 40:967(A)(1); Count (2), possession of a Schedule I

controlled dangerous substance, i.e., marijuana, in violation of La.R.S. 40:966(C)

& (E); and Count (3), possession with the intent to use drug paraphernalia to store,

conceal, or otherwise introduce into the human body a controlled dangerous

substance, in violation of La.R.S. 40:1023(C) and La.R.S. 40:1025.

Defendant pled guilty to Count (1), possession of cocaine with intent to

distribute. In exchange for a plea, the State agreed to not charge Defendant as a

habitual offender and dismissed the remaining counts.

Defendant was sentenced to twenty years at hard labor and ordered to pay

court costs. The trial court ordered the sentence to run concurrently with the

twenty-year sentence imposed in trial court docket number 12-1294, which is

before this court in appellate docket number 13-564. Additionally, the trial court ordered the first two years to be served without probation, parole, or suspension of

sentence.

On appeal, Defendant challenges his sentence as excessive. He further

challenges his alleged uninformed and involuntary plea.

DISCUSSION

On appeal and in his original brief, Defendant asserts that his sentence is

harsh and excessive for a disabled forty-six-year-old offender who needs substance

abuse treatment and twice-weekly dialysis. In his supplemental brief, Defendant

alleges that his guilty plea was uninformed and involuntary.

I. Errors Patent

In accordance with La.Code Crim.P. art. 920, all appeals are reviewed for

errors patent on the face of the record. After reviewing the record, there are no

errors patent. However, the minutes of sentencing are in need of correction. There

is a discrepancy between the transcript of Defendant‘s sentencing proceeding and

the sentencing minutes. The transcript reflects that the trial court ordered the first

two years of Defendant‘s sentence to be served without the benefit of parole,

probation, or suspension of sentence. However, that restriction is not reflected in

the sentencing minutes. ―[W]hen the minutes and the transcript conflict, the

transcript prevails.‖ State v. Wommack, 00-137, p. 4 (La.App. 3 Cir. 6/7/00), 770

So.2d 365, 369, writ denied, 00-2051 (La. 9/21/01), 797 So.2d 62. Accordingly,

the trial court is ordered to correct the sentencing minutes to reflect that the first

two years of Defendant‘s sentence are to be served without the benefit of parole,

probation, or suspension of sentence. See State v. Clayton, 10-1303 (La.App. 3 Cir.

5/4/11), 64 So.3d 418.

2 II. Excessive Sentence

In his original brief, Defendant complains his sentence is excessive.

A review of the record indicates that Defendant filed a motion to reconsider

sentence. He asserted that the trial court failed to consider his poor health.

Defendant explained that he suffers from kidney failure and drug addiction. He

stated that he is administered dialysis treatment twice a week. Defendant asserted

that although he was a fifth offender, his crimes were non-violent. Defendant

argues the same grounds in this appeal.

In State v. Whatley, 03-1275, pp. 5-6 (La.App. 3 Cir. 3/3/04), 867 So.2d 955,

958-59, this court explained in pertinent part:

The Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution and La. Const. art. I, § 20 prohibit the imposition of cruel or excessive punishment. ― ‗[T]he excessiveness of a sentence becomes a question of law reviewable under the appellate jurisdiction of this court.‘ ‖ State v. Dorthey, 623 So.2d 1276, 1280 (La.1993) (quoting State v. Sepulvado, 367 So.2d 762, 764 (La.1979)). Still, the trial court is given wide discretion in imposing a sentence, and, absent a manifest abuse of that discretion, we will not deem as excessive a sentence imposed within statutory limits. State v. Pyke, 95-919 (La.App. 3 Cir. 3/6/96), 670 So.2d 713. However, ―[m]aximum sentences are reserved for the most serious violations and the worst offenders.‖ State v. Farhood, 02-490, p. 11 (La.App. 5 Cir. 3/25/03), 844 So.2d 217, 225. The only relevant question for us to consider on review is not whether another sentence would be more appropriate, but whether the trial court abused its broad discretion in sentencing a defendant. State v. Cook, 95-2784 (La.5/31/96), 674 So.2d 957, cert. denied, 519 U.S. 1043, 117 S.Ct. 615, 136 L.Ed.2d 539 (1996).

The fifth circuit, in [State v.] Lisotta, [98-648, p. 4 (La.App. 5 Cir. 12/16/98),] 726 So.2d [57,] 58, [writ denied, 99-433 (La.6/25/99), 745 So.2d 1183,] stated that the reviewing court should consider three factors in reviewing the trial court‘s sentencing discretion:

1. The nature of the crime,

2. The nature and background of the offender, and

3. The sentence imposed for similar crimes by the same court and other courts.

3 A. Nature of the Crime

In the present case and as mentioned above, the police officers found

marijuana along with crack cocaine in rock form for street sale. They also found a

knife with residue for cutting crack cocaine, glass with residue, and $1,322 in

small bills.

B. Nature and Background of the Offender

At the guilty plea proceeding, Defendant was forty-six years old. He

completed the tenth grade and obtained his GED. Defendant explained that he was

on disability for his kidney problems, high blood pressure, and heart.

At the sentencing hearing, the trial court stated in pertinent part:

[I] am aware of your dialysis, your kidney problems. I also take into consideration that statement just made by your defense counsel, the Pre-Sentence Investigation prepared by State of Louisiana, Division of Probation and Parole, and the record. Finally, I take into consideration the sentencing guidelines found in Code of Criminal Procedure Article 894.1. Basically, Mr. Melbert, you have spent all of your adult life in jail, looking at your history. Most of your felony convictions have been for violations of the Controlled Dangerous Substance Law, as is the two that we are doing today. You have one conviction for a crime of violence back in 1994, but the others have been for Controlled Dangerous Substance Law violations. You are considered a Fifth felony offender. You are not eligible for a suspended sentence. In determining your sentence the Court reviewed the record, as I said, and the factors in Code of Criminal Procedure Article 894.1. The Court finds no mitigating factors. And I further find that you are in need of a custodial environment that can best be provided by commitment to an institution. Possession with intent to distribute cocaine carries a sentence of two to thirty years at hard labor, the first two year are to be served without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence. As I have said, I have carefully considered everything today, and I am aware of your physical problems. But I don‘t find any substantial grounds to excuse or justify your conduct.

4 C. Sentence Imposed for Similar Crimes by the Same Court and Other Courts

The penalty for a violation of La.R.S. 40:967 is two to thirty years at hard

labor, with the first two years to be served without the benefit of probation, parole,

or suspension of sentence. In the present case, the twenty-year sentence imposed is

a mid-range to high-range sentence. Defendant was a fifth felony offender.

Additionally, in exchange for the plea, the State dismissed two charges, a felony

and a misdemeanor.

In State v. Ceaser, 09-236 (La.App. 3 Cir. 11/4/09), 21 So.3d 1122, writ

denied, 09-2734 (La. 6/4/10), 38 So.3d 300, the defendant was charged with

possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. The trial court sentenced him to

eighteen years at hard labor with the first two years to be served without the benefit

of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. This court affirmed the trial

court‘s sentence. This court noted that the defendant‘s criminal history included

multiple prior drug convictions. He was found in possession of three grams of

crack cocaine and over fifty-one grams of powder cocaine. Additionally, a firearm

was in the vehicle where the drugs were found.

In State v. Bivens, 11-156 (La.App. 3 Cir. 10/5/11), 74 So.3d 782, writ

denied, 11-2494 (La. 3/30/12), 85 So.3d 115, this court affirmed a twelve-year

sentence for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. This court considered

the defendant‘s prior history which included two prior arrests and probation for

drug offenses. The defendant was also on probation at the time of this offense and

a firearm was involved.

In State v. Cross, 43,068 (La.App. 2 Cir. 3/19/08), 982 So.2d 201, writ

denied, 08-1243 (La. 2/20/09), 1 So.3d 492, the second circuit affirmed a sentence

5 of twenty-five years at hard labor with a $2,000 fine for a conviction of distribution

of cocaine. The court considered that the defendant was a third-time offender and

he was on probation at the time he committed the instant offense.

After applying the Lisotta factors, we find that the trial court did not abuse

its discretion in imposing the twenty-year sentence.1 Defendant was a multiple

offender, and his prior crimes involved distribution of drugs. If the State would

have charged Defendant as a fourth and subsequent offender and he had been

found as such, he could have been sentenced to life imprisonment. See La.R.S.

15:529.1. Thus, his sentence was greatly reduced by the State dropping the

additional charges and not charging him as a habitual offender. Accordingly, we

find that Defendant‘s claim lacks merit.

III. Uninformed and Involuntary Guilty Plea

In his supplemental brief, Defendant argues that his plea was uninformed

and involuntary. He complains that he was supposed to enter a no contest plea, but

instead he pled guilty. Defendant states in brief (footnotes omitted) in pertinent

part:

The court explained the consequences of a ―No Contest‖ plea to Mr. Melbert, which would not have been necessary in a standard Boykinization. Despite the intent evidenced by the record, Gus Melbert indicated he was pleading guilty to the two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

Remand should be ordered to determine whether Mr. Melbert‘s decision to plead ―Guilty‖ was knowing and voluntary and further whether his intent to plead ―No Contest‖ should be fulfilled.

At the beginning of the guilty plea proceeding, the State stated in pertinent

1 In addition to the cases cited in the opinion, see State v. Adams, 08-1565 (La.App. 3 Cir. 6/24/09), 13 So.3d 1237; see also State v. King, 10-1215 (La.App. 3 Cir. 4/6/11), 61 So.3d 810.

6 [I]t is my understanding at this time he would like to withdraw his previously tendered not guilty pleas in those matters and at this time tender a plea of no contest. With regard to CR-2012-1295, Mr. Melbert will be tendering a plea of one count Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule II, that is going to be to wit cocaine. . . .

....

And then in CR-2012-1294, Mr. Melbert will be tendering a plea of guilty to one count Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule II, that is going to be crack cocaine. And the State will be moving to dismiss the accompanying charges. And just for Bill of Information purposes, both of those, Your Honor, would be Count 1 on both of those Bills. And the State would be moving to dismiss the accompanying charges. And those are straight up pleas Your Honor.

In State v. Cook, 95-212, pp. 2-3 (La.App. 3 Cir. 10/18/95), 664 So.2d 489,

490-91, rev’d on other grounds, 95-2784 (La. 5/31/96), 674 So.2d 957, cert.

denied, 519 U.S. 1043, 117 S.Ct. 615 (1996), this court held in pertinent part:

A plea of nolo contendere or ―no contest‖ is equivalent to an admission of guilt and, with the exception of being unavailable as an admission in a civil trial, is treated as a guilty plea. State v. Brown, 490 So.2d 601 (La.App. 2 Cir.1986). Further, this court has held that a guilty plea will not be considered constitutionally valid unless it is made voluntarily by the defendant and with an understanding of the nature of the charge. State v. Sepulvado, 549 So.2d 928 (La.App. 3 Cir.1989). La.Code Crim.P. art. 559 states that ―the court may permit a plea of guilty to be withdrawn at any time before sentencing.‖ The trial judge has wide discretion in permitting a guilty plea to be withdrawn, but his discretion may not be exercised arbitrarily. State v. Jenkins, 419 So.2d 463 (La.1982). This court has held that a plea of guilty cannot be withdrawn after sentence has been imposed, unless it is shown the plea is constitutionally deficient. State v. Deville, 457 So.2d 864 (La.App. 3 Cir.1984).

In State v. Nguyen, 10-483, 10-898, p. 6 (La.App. 3 Cir. 2/2/11), 55 So.3d

976, 980-81, writ denied, 11-285 (La. 6/17/11), 63 So.3d 1038, this court held in

pertinent part:

In order for a guilty plea to be valid, there must be a showing that the defendant was informed of and waived his constitutionally guaranteed right to trial by jury, right of confrontation, and right against self-incrimination. State v. Williams, 02-0707 (La.App. 3 Cir. 3/5/03), 839 So.2d 1095. In addition, under La. Code Crim.P. art.

7 556.1, a trial court shall not accept a guilty plea unless it advises the defendant of certain rights, including ―the right to confront and cross- examine witnesses against him.‖

In the present case, the trial court informed Defendant that while he was

entering a plea of no contest and he was not admitting to committing the crime, the

plea acted as a conviction. The trial court advised Defendant of his Boykin2 rights

and his right to confront and cross-examine witnesses. Defendant waived these

rights. The State gave a factual basis for the plea and when asked how do you

plead, Defendant stated ―[g]uilty.‖ Although Defendant responded guilty, he fails

to show what prejudice, if any, he suffered as a result. Moreover, Defendant fails

to show how this response rendered his plea uninformed and involuntary.

Accordingly, we find that this claim lacks merit.

DECREE

The trial court‘s ruling regarding Defendant‘s sentence is affirmed. The trial

court is further ordered to amend the minutes to accurately reflect the sentencing

transcript.

This opinion is NOT DESIGNATED FOR PUBLICATION. Uniform Rules—Courts of Appeal, Rule 2–16.3.

2 In Boykin v. Alabama, 395 U.S. 238, 89 S.Ct. 1709 (1969), the Supreme Court held that guilty pleas are enforceable only if taken voluntarily and intelligently.