NOT DESIGNATED FOR PUBLICATION
STATE OF LOUISIANA COURT OF APPEAL, THIRD CIRCUIT
12-1398
STATE OF LOUISIANA
VERSUS
MATTHEW CLAYTON STOCKTON
**********
APPEAL FROM THE THIRTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF VERNON, NO. 82913 HONORABLE VERNON BRUCE CLARK, DISTRICT JUDGE
ULYSSES GENE THIBODEAUX CHIEF JUDGE
Court composed of Ulysses Gene Thibodeaux, Chief Judge, Elizabeth A. Pickett, and John E. Conery, Judges.
AFFIRMED.
Edward John Marquet Louisiana Appellate Project P. O. Box 53733 Lafayette, LA 70505-3733 Telephone: (337) 237-6841 COUNSEL FOR: Defendant/Appellant - Matthew Clayton Stockton
Asa Allen Skinner District Attorney – 30th Judicial District Court P. O. Box 1188 Leesville, LA 71446 Telephone: (337) 239-2008 COUNSEL FOR: Plaintiff/Appellee - State of Louisiana Terry Wayne Lambright Assistant District Attorney – 30th Judicial District Court 118 S. Third Street - Suite A Leesville, LA 71446 Telephone: (337) 239-6557 COUNSEL FOR: Plaintiff/Appellee - State of Louisiana THIBODEAUX, Chief Judge.
The defendant, Matthew Clayton Stockton, appeals as excessive a five
year sentence for simple burglary. We affirm the sentence of the trial court.
I.
ISSUES
We must decide whether the trial court imposed an unconstitutionally
excessive sentence of five years for simple burglary.
II.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On November 4, 2011, Matthew Clayton Stockton and a co-defendant
broke into the home of Dewey Smith in Hornbeck, Louisiana, and stole twenty-
nine guns, gold coins, jewelry, and other items.
Mr. Stockton was charged on March 6, 2012, with aggravated
burglary, a violation of La.R.S. 14:60; simple burglary, a violation of La.R.S.
14:62; and theft of firearms, a violation of La.R.S. 14:67.15.
Mr. Stockton pled guilty to simple burglary and to the lesser offense
of theft of property over $500.00. The State dismissed the aggravated burglary
charge. After a pre-sentence investigation (PSI), the trial court sentenced Mr.
Stockton to five years on the burglary conviction and four years on the theft
conviction, with the sentences to run concurrently. Mr. Stockton filed a motion to
reconsider his sentence, which was denied without a hearing. The State also filed a motion to reconsider Mr. Stockton’s sentences
and set restitution. At the hearing, the State advised the trial court that the victim
sought no further restitution and dismissed the motion.
Mr. Stockton now appeals his sentence for simple burglary. For the
following reasons, we affirm the sentence of the trial court.
III.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
―The trial court has wide discretion in the imposition of sentence
within the statutory limits and such sentence shall not be set aside as excessive
absent a manifest abuse of discretion.‖ State v. Salameh, 09-1422, p. 4 (La.App. 3
Cir. 5/5/10), 38 So.3d 568, 570 (citations omitted).
IV.
LAW AND DISCUSSION
Mr. Stockton contends that his sentence of five years for simple
burglary is excessive. We disagree. This court has previously discussed the
standard for reviewing excessive sentence claims:
[Louisiana Constitution Article] I, ' 20 guarantees that, ―[n]o law shall subject any person to cruel or unusual punishment.‖ To constitute an excessive sentence, the reviewing court must find the penalty so grossly disproportionate to the severity of the crime as to shock our sense of justice or that the sentence makes no measurable contribution to acceptable penal goals and is, therefore, nothing more than a needless imposition of pain and suffering. The trial court has wide discretion in the imposition of sentence within the statutory limits and such sentence shall not be set aside as excessive absent a manifest abuse of discretion. The relevant question is whether the trial court abused its broad sentencing
2 discretion, not whether another sentence might have been more appropriate.
State v. Barling, 00-1241, 00-1591, p. 12 (La.App. 3 Cir. 1/31/01), 779 So.2d
1035, 1042, writ denied, 01-838 (La. 2/1/02), 808 So.2d 331 (citations omitted).
The penalty for simple burglary is imprisonment with or without hard
labor for not more than twelve years and/or a fine of up to $2,000.00. La.R.S.
14:62(B). Therefore, the term of imprisonment ordered by the sentencing court is
less than half the possible term.
Even though a penalty falls within the statutory sentencing range, it
may still be unconstitutionally excessive:
In deciding whether a sentence is shocking or makes no meaningful contribution to acceptable penal goals, an appellate court may consider several factors including the nature of the offense, the circumstances of the offender, the legislative purpose behind the punishment and a comparison of the sentences imposed for similar crimes. While a comparison of sentences imposed for similar crimes may provide some insight, ―it is well settled that sentences must be individualized to the particular offender and to the particular offense committed.‖ Additionally, it is within the purview of the trial court to particularize the sentence because the trial judge ―remains in the best position to assess the aggravating and mitigating circumstances presented by each case.‖ State v. Smith, 02-719, p. 4 (La.App. 3 Cir. 2/12/03), 846 So.2d 786, 789, writ
denied, 03-562 (La. 5/30/03), 845 So.2d 1061 (citations omitted).
―[T]he trial judge need not articulate every aggravating and mitigating
circumstance outlined in art. 894.1[;] the record must reflect that he adequately
considered these guidelines in particularizing the sentence to the defendant.‖ State
v. Smith, 433 So.2d 688, 698 (La.1983). ―[M]aximum sentences are reserved for
cases involving the most serious violations of the charged offense and for the worst
3 kind of offender.‖ State v. Quebedeaux, 424 So.2d 1009, 1014 (La.1982). ―The
appellate court shall not set aside a sentence for excessiveness if the record
supports the sentence imposed.‖ La.Code Crim.P. art. 881.4(D).
Here, the trial judge indicated that the PSI showed that Mr. Stockton
was twenty-six years old, in good health, and had a high school education. No
substantial grounds existed to excuse or justify his conduct, and no one gave him
strong provocation to commit the crimes. The victim sustained economic harm.
Further, Mr. Stockton had been convicted of felony possession of a
controlled dangerous substance (CDS) in Killeen, Texas on August 31, 2007. He
received a two-year suspended sentence and was placed on probation for five
years; that probation was revoked. On August 6, 2010, he was again convicted of
possession of a CDS in Killeen, Texas and was sentenced to fifteen months in jail.
Mr. Stockton also had three misdemeanor convictions, mostly related to controlled
dangerous substances.
Without the plea bargain, Mr. Stockton could have been sentenced to
one to thirty years at hard labor on the charge of aggravated burglary. La.R.S.
14:60. He could have been sentenced to a maximum of twelve years at hard labor
and a fine of $2,000.00 for simple burglary. La.R.S. 14:62. He could have also
faced imprisonment with or without hard labor for two to ten years, without benefit
of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence, plus a fine of $1,000.00 for theft of
a firearm. La.R.S. 14:67.15. Thus, he gained substantial benefit from his plea
bargain.
The defendant in State v. Maricle, 08-678 (La.App. 3 Cir. 12/10/08),
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
NOT DESIGNATED FOR PUBLICATION
STATE OF LOUISIANA COURT OF APPEAL, THIRD CIRCUIT
12-1398
STATE OF LOUISIANA
VERSUS
MATTHEW CLAYTON STOCKTON
**********
APPEAL FROM THE THIRTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF VERNON, NO. 82913 HONORABLE VERNON BRUCE CLARK, DISTRICT JUDGE
ULYSSES GENE THIBODEAUX CHIEF JUDGE
Court composed of Ulysses Gene Thibodeaux, Chief Judge, Elizabeth A. Pickett, and John E. Conery, Judges.
AFFIRMED.
Edward John Marquet Louisiana Appellate Project P. O. Box 53733 Lafayette, LA 70505-3733 Telephone: (337) 237-6841 COUNSEL FOR: Defendant/Appellant - Matthew Clayton Stockton
Asa Allen Skinner District Attorney – 30th Judicial District Court P. O. Box 1188 Leesville, LA 71446 Telephone: (337) 239-2008 COUNSEL FOR: Plaintiff/Appellee - State of Louisiana Terry Wayne Lambright Assistant District Attorney – 30th Judicial District Court 118 S. Third Street - Suite A Leesville, LA 71446 Telephone: (337) 239-6557 COUNSEL FOR: Plaintiff/Appellee - State of Louisiana THIBODEAUX, Chief Judge.
The defendant, Matthew Clayton Stockton, appeals as excessive a five
year sentence for simple burglary. We affirm the sentence of the trial court.
I.
ISSUES
We must decide whether the trial court imposed an unconstitutionally
excessive sentence of five years for simple burglary.
II.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On November 4, 2011, Matthew Clayton Stockton and a co-defendant
broke into the home of Dewey Smith in Hornbeck, Louisiana, and stole twenty-
nine guns, gold coins, jewelry, and other items.
Mr. Stockton was charged on March 6, 2012, with aggravated
burglary, a violation of La.R.S. 14:60; simple burglary, a violation of La.R.S.
14:62; and theft of firearms, a violation of La.R.S. 14:67.15.
Mr. Stockton pled guilty to simple burglary and to the lesser offense
of theft of property over $500.00. The State dismissed the aggravated burglary
charge. After a pre-sentence investigation (PSI), the trial court sentenced Mr.
Stockton to five years on the burglary conviction and four years on the theft
conviction, with the sentences to run concurrently. Mr. Stockton filed a motion to
reconsider his sentence, which was denied without a hearing. The State also filed a motion to reconsider Mr. Stockton’s sentences
and set restitution. At the hearing, the State advised the trial court that the victim
sought no further restitution and dismissed the motion.
Mr. Stockton now appeals his sentence for simple burglary. For the
following reasons, we affirm the sentence of the trial court.
III.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
―The trial court has wide discretion in the imposition of sentence
within the statutory limits and such sentence shall not be set aside as excessive
absent a manifest abuse of discretion.‖ State v. Salameh, 09-1422, p. 4 (La.App. 3
Cir. 5/5/10), 38 So.3d 568, 570 (citations omitted).
IV.
LAW AND DISCUSSION
Mr. Stockton contends that his sentence of five years for simple
burglary is excessive. We disagree. This court has previously discussed the
standard for reviewing excessive sentence claims:
[Louisiana Constitution Article] I, ' 20 guarantees that, ―[n]o law shall subject any person to cruel or unusual punishment.‖ To constitute an excessive sentence, the reviewing court must find the penalty so grossly disproportionate to the severity of the crime as to shock our sense of justice or that the sentence makes no measurable contribution to acceptable penal goals and is, therefore, nothing more than a needless imposition of pain and suffering. The trial court has wide discretion in the imposition of sentence within the statutory limits and such sentence shall not be set aside as excessive absent a manifest abuse of discretion. The relevant question is whether the trial court abused its broad sentencing
2 discretion, not whether another sentence might have been more appropriate.
State v. Barling, 00-1241, 00-1591, p. 12 (La.App. 3 Cir. 1/31/01), 779 So.2d
1035, 1042, writ denied, 01-838 (La. 2/1/02), 808 So.2d 331 (citations omitted).
The penalty for simple burglary is imprisonment with or without hard
labor for not more than twelve years and/or a fine of up to $2,000.00. La.R.S.
14:62(B). Therefore, the term of imprisonment ordered by the sentencing court is
less than half the possible term.
Even though a penalty falls within the statutory sentencing range, it
may still be unconstitutionally excessive:
In deciding whether a sentence is shocking or makes no meaningful contribution to acceptable penal goals, an appellate court may consider several factors including the nature of the offense, the circumstances of the offender, the legislative purpose behind the punishment and a comparison of the sentences imposed for similar crimes. While a comparison of sentences imposed for similar crimes may provide some insight, ―it is well settled that sentences must be individualized to the particular offender and to the particular offense committed.‖ Additionally, it is within the purview of the trial court to particularize the sentence because the trial judge ―remains in the best position to assess the aggravating and mitigating circumstances presented by each case.‖ State v. Smith, 02-719, p. 4 (La.App. 3 Cir. 2/12/03), 846 So.2d 786, 789, writ
denied, 03-562 (La. 5/30/03), 845 So.2d 1061 (citations omitted).
―[T]he trial judge need not articulate every aggravating and mitigating
circumstance outlined in art. 894.1[;] the record must reflect that he adequately
considered these guidelines in particularizing the sentence to the defendant.‖ State
v. Smith, 433 So.2d 688, 698 (La.1983). ―[M]aximum sentences are reserved for
cases involving the most serious violations of the charged offense and for the worst
3 kind of offender.‖ State v. Quebedeaux, 424 So.2d 1009, 1014 (La.1982). ―The
appellate court shall not set aside a sentence for excessiveness if the record
supports the sentence imposed.‖ La.Code Crim.P. art. 881.4(D).
Here, the trial judge indicated that the PSI showed that Mr. Stockton
was twenty-six years old, in good health, and had a high school education. No
substantial grounds existed to excuse or justify his conduct, and no one gave him
strong provocation to commit the crimes. The victim sustained economic harm.
Further, Mr. Stockton had been convicted of felony possession of a
controlled dangerous substance (CDS) in Killeen, Texas on August 31, 2007. He
received a two-year suspended sentence and was placed on probation for five
years; that probation was revoked. On August 6, 2010, he was again convicted of
possession of a CDS in Killeen, Texas and was sentenced to fifteen months in jail.
Mr. Stockton also had three misdemeanor convictions, mostly related to controlled
dangerous substances.
Without the plea bargain, Mr. Stockton could have been sentenced to
one to thirty years at hard labor on the charge of aggravated burglary. La.R.S.
14:60. He could have been sentenced to a maximum of twelve years at hard labor
and a fine of $2,000.00 for simple burglary. La.R.S. 14:62. He could have also
faced imprisonment with or without hard labor for two to ten years, without benefit
of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence, plus a fine of $1,000.00 for theft of
a firearm. La.R.S. 14:67.15. Thus, he gained substantial benefit from his plea
bargain.
The defendant in State v. Maricle, 08-678 (La.App. 3 Cir. 12/10/08),
998 So.2d 909, was sentenced to five years at hard labor and a $1,000.00 fine for
attempted simple burglary and four years at hard labor and a $1,000.00 fine for
4 attempted theft over $500.00. The defendant had been previously convicted of
attempted molestation of a juvenile and was given five years of supervised
probation, which was revoked. This court held that the sentence for attempted
theft was an illegal one, but it affirmed the sentence for attempted simple burglary
based on the defendant’s second felony offender status and his previously
unsuccessful probation.
In State v. Polanco, 11-157 (La.App. 3 Cir. 6/1/11), 66 So.3d 643, the
defendant pled guilty to two counts of simple burglary of a convenience store. He
was a twenty-nine-year-old first felony offender who had custody of four small
children. The victims preferred jail time for the defendant rather than restitution.
The trial court imposed a sentence of eight years on each count, with the sentences
to run concurrently. On appeal, this court noted a number of other cases where the
sentences exceeded those of the defendant:
[S]entences for simple burglary equal to Mr. Polanco’s or greater have been routinely affirmed on appeal, including cases where the defendant had little or no criminal history. See State v. Coats, 561 So.2d 790 (La.App. 2 Cir.1990) (nine year sentence for first felony conviction); State v. Morris, 98–236 (La.App. 5 Cir. 9/16/98), 719 So.2d 1076 (twelve years for defendant without criminal history); State v. Alsup, 42,636 (La.App. 2 Cir. 10/24/07), 968 So.2d 1152, writ denied, 07–2252 (La.4/25/08), 978 So.2d 363 (eight years for first offense); State v. Johnson, 457 So.2d 732 (La.App. 2 Cir.), writ denied, 460 So.2d 608 (La.1984) (twelve years with no criminal history); State v. Burns, 44,937 (La.App. 2 Cir. 2/2/10), 32 So.3d 261 (twelve years, consecutive with other sentences for separate offenses).
Polanco, 66 So.3d at 647.
Mr. Stockton is a third felony offender with a history of unsuccessful
probation. He received a very substantial benefit from his plea bargain. His
5 sentence is less than half of the sentence that could have been imposed. We find
that the sentence of five years for simple burglary was not excessive.
V.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, Mr. Stockton’s sentence of five years at
hard labor for simple burglary is affirmed.
THIS OPINION IS NOT DESIGNATED FOR PUBLICATION. RULE 2-16.3, UNIFORM RULES—COURTS OF APPEAL.