STATE OF LOUISIANA
COURT OF APPEAL, THIRD CIRCUIT
12-624
CONSOLIDATED WITH
12-625
VERSUS
MICHAEL WAYNE JONES
**********
APPEAL FROM THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF LAFAYETTE, NOS. 127273 AND 133793 HONORABLE JOHN D. TRAHAN, DISTRICT JUDGE
JAMES T. GENOVESE JUDGE
Court composed of Jimmie C. Peters, J. David Painter, and James T. Genovese, Judges.
CONVICTIONS AFFIRMED; HABITUAL OFFENDER SENTENCE VACATED; AND REMANDED FOR RESENTENCING WITH INSTRUCTIONS.
Beth S. Fontenot Louisiana Appellate Project Post Office Box 3183 Lake Charles, Louisiana 70602-3183 (337) 491-3864 COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANT/APPELLANT: Michael Wayne Jones Michael Harson District Attorney—Fifteenth Judicial District Alan P. Haney Assistant District Attorney Post Office Box 4308 Lafayette, Louisiana 70502 (337) 291-7009 COUNSEL FOR APPELLEE: State of Louisiana GENOVESE, Judge.
In this criminal case, Defendant, Michael Wayne Jones, appeals his habitual
offender adjudication and sentence. He alleges insufficiency of the evidence
relative to his two predicate burglary offenses and excessive habitual offender
sentence. For the following reasons, we affirm Defendant’s convictions on the
predicate burglary offenses and vacate his habitual offender sentence due to error
patent.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On August 20, 2009, Dr. Stephen Goodeaux arrived at his veterinary clinic
in Scott, Louisiana, and discovered that someone had broken a window near the
door and gained entry to the clinic. He also noticed that the steering column of the
company truck, which was parked outside the clinic, had been destroyed. The
perpetrator left behind blood evidence inside the clinic that was eventually linked
to Defendant. Investigating officers secured a search warrant for Defendant’s
DNA and confirmed that he was the perpetrator. In a recorded statement,
Defendant confessed to breaking into the veterinary clinic and to damaging the
truck in an attempt to drive it home.
Defendant was charged with two counts of simple burglary. Following a
two-day jury trial, Defendant was found guilty on both counts.
The State then filed a habitual offender bill against Defendant, charging him
as a fourth felony offender. Defendant was sentenced on his original simple
burglary convictions to twelve years at hard labor on each count, to run
concurrently with each other. Thereafter, Defendant was adjudicated a fourth
felony offender; his previous sentence was vacated; and, he was sentenced to life imprisonment at hard labor, without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of
sentence.1
ERRORS PATENT
In accordance with La.Code Crim.P. art. 920, we review all appeals for
errors patent on the face of the record. After reviewing the record, we note that
there is one error patent.
In docket number 127273, for each of the two counts of simple burglary,
Defendant was sentenced to serve twelve years at hard labor, to run concurrently.
The State filed a habitual offender bill under docket number 133793, seeking to
have Defendant declared a fourth felony offender and sentenced to life
imprisonment. The habitual offender bill listed only a single conviction of simple
burglary under docket number 127273. Defendant denied the allegations of the
bill, and a habitual offender proceeding was held. At the start of the hearing, the
prosecutor, in giving the procedural history of the case, noted that Defendant was
convicted of two counts of simple burglary in docket number 127273. After
evidence was presented, the court vacated the previous sentence that it imposed
and imposed a sentence of life imprisonment at hard labor without benefit of
parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.
A review of the habitual offender bill and the subsequent habitual offender
proceeding reveals that only one of the simple burglary sentences was enhanced.
Consequently, we find that the trial court erred in failing to specify which one of
Defendant’s two sentences it enhanced. In State v. Webster, 95-605, p. 9 (La.App.
3 Cir. 11/2/95), 664 So.2d 624, 630, this court addressed a sentencing issue similar
to the one at issue in the present case:
1 The trial court did not designate which burglary sentence was vacated, which is addressed below as an error patent. 2 By these assignments of error, the defendant contends the trial court erred in failing to specify which of the four convictions was being enhanced at sentencing and in failing to sentence him on the additional three counts within a reasonable amount of time.
The defendant notes that the trial court did not specify which armed robbery conviction was being enhanced. Nor did the court sentence the defendant on the remaining three convictions. The defendant further contends the trial court should be divested of jurisdiction on the three remaining counts as he will not be sentenced on them within a reasonable amount of time.
We agree[] that the trial court erred in that the record does not reveal which of defendant’s four armed robbery convictions was being enhanced. Additionally, the trial court should have imposed a separate sentence on each of the three remaining convictions. Therefore, defendant’s sentence is indeterminate as he was convicted of four counts of armed robbery and only a single sentence was imposed. See State v. Bessonette, 574 So.2d 1305 (La.App. 3 Cir.1991); La.Code Crim.P. art. 879. Accordingly, defendant’s sentence will be vacated and the case remanded to the trial court for clarification as to which count is being enhanced and for imposition of separate sentences on the remaining three counts. See State v. Parker, 593 So.2d 414 (La.App. 1 Cir.1991).
In State v. Clennon, 98-1370 (La.App. 5 Cir. 6/30/99), 738 So.2d 161, the
defendant was convicted of two counts of armed robbery. On appeal, our brethren
of the fifth circuit found patent error occurred when the trial court failed to specify
which of the two sentences it intended to enhance:
The second patent error in the record is that the trial court erred in failing to specify which of defendant’s two sentences it intended to enhance pursuant to the habitual offender bill. The amended commitment also fails to indicate which of defendant’s sentences was enhanced. Because defendant’s two convictions arose from a single criminal episode, only one could be enhanced. State ex rel. Porter v. Butler, 573 So.2d 1106, 1108 (La.1991). It is the opinion of this Court that the we must vacate the habitual offender sentence and remand the case to the trial court for re-sentencing, with the instruction that the trial court specify which of defendant’s two sentences are to be enhanced. See State v. Stack, 97-1176, (La.App. 5th Cir. 4/15/98), 710 So.2d 841, 845. Furthermore, in reference to the sentencing, this Court notes that the amended commitment incorrectly states that the defendant was convicted on Count 1 and Count 2 of the bill of information rather than the correct Count 1 and Count 3. This must be corrected upon re-sentencing.
3 Id. at 165.2
Additionally, in State v. Elie, 10-1494 (La.App. 3 Cir. 10/5/11), 74 So.3d
1216, writ denied, 11-2786 (La. 4/13/12), 85 So.3d 1246, this court remanded the
case for resentencing due to the defendant’s absence from sentencing, an assigned
error. On error patent review, this court noted:
In accordance with La.Code Crim.P. art. 920, all appeals are reviewed for errors patent on the face of the record. We find one such error. Although the trial court acknowledged that there were two counts, it appears it enhanced only one of Defendant’s sentences at the habitual offender proceeding for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. For reasons provided below, we remand this matter to the trial court for resentencing, at which time the trial court must specify which of Defendant’s two convictions is being enhanced. State v. Clennon, 98-1370 La.App. 5 Cir. 6/30/99), 738 So.2d 161; and State v. Webster, 95-605 (La.App. 3 Cir. 11/2/95), 664 So.2d 624.
Id. at 1219.
Considering the foregoing jurisprudence, we are required to vacate
Defendant’s habitual offender sentence, remand the matter to the trial court for
resentencing, and order the trial court to specify which of Defendant’s two
burglary sentences is being enhanced and which original sentence is being vacated.
ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
Defendant presents the following three assignments of error on appeal:
I. The evidence was insufficient to convict Mr. Jones because the State failed to prove that Mr. Jones possessed the specific intent necessary in light of the direct testimony of Mr. Jones that his intoxicated and drugged state prevented him from forming the specific intent necessary to commit simple burglary.
II. In the alternative, the State failed to prove Mr. Jones committed the offense of simple burglary of the vehicle because the State
2 We note that at the time of the Webster and Clennon opinions, it was permissible to enhance only one of multiple convictions arising out of a single criminal episode. However, the supreme court has since held that La.R.S. 15:529.1 does not prohibit enhancing multiple sentences obtained the same date arising out of a single criminal episode. State v. Shaw, 06-2467 (La. 11/27/07), 969 So.2d 1233.
4 failed to prove that Mr. Jones specifically intended to commit a felony “therein.”
III. The mandatory life sentence is unconstitutionally excessive under the facts of this case.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NUMBER ONE
In this assignment of error, Defendant argues that the evidence was
insufficient to convict him because the State failed to prove he possessed the
specific intent necessary to commit simple burglary of the veterinary clinic and
vehicle. Defendant contends that his intoxicated and drugged state is a defense to
specific intent, an essential element of simple burglary.
The analysis for a claim of insufficient evidence is well-settled:
The standard of appellate review for a sufficiency of the evidence claim is whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 2789, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979); State v. Mussall, 523 So.2d 1305 (La.1988). A determination of the weight of evidence is a question of fact, resting solely with the trier of fact who may accept or reject, in whole or in part, the testimony of any witnesses. State v. Silman, 95-0154 (La.11/27/95), 663 So.2d 27, 35. A reviewing court may impinge on the factfinding function of the jury only to the extent necessary to assure the Jackson standard of review. State v. Bordenave, 95-2328 (La.4/26/96), 678 So.2d 19, 20. It is not the function of an appellate court to assess credibility or re-weigh the evidence. Id.
State v. Macon, 06-481, pp. 7-8 (La. 6/1/07), 957 So.2d 1280, 1285-86.
Simple burglary is defined as “the unauthorized entering of any dwelling,
vehicle, watercraft, or other structure, movable or immovable, or any cemetery,
with the intent to commit a felony or any theft therein, other than as set forth in
R.S. 14:60 [aggravated burglary].” La.R.S. 14:62(A). This court in State v. Bias,
10-1440, p. 13 (La.App. 3 Cir. 5/4/11), 63 So.3d 399, 408, writ denied, 11-1063
(La. 11/14/11), 75 So.3d 939, referred to an analysis for an intoxication defense
5 promulgated in State v. Wilson, 44,586, 44,737, p. 4 (La.App. 2 Cir. 10/28/09),
26 So.3d 210, 215, writ denied, 09-2655 (La. 1/28/11), 56 So.3d 973:
Voluntary intoxication is a defense to a prosecution for simple burglary only if the circumstances indicate that it has precluded the presence of specific criminal intent. La. R.S. 14:15(2). The defendant has the burden of proving the existence of that condition at the time of the offense. The specific legal question is not when the requisite specific intent was formed, but rather whether, at the time the unauthorized entry occurred, the defendant was so intoxicated as to preclude the existence of any specific intent on his part to commit a theft or felony therein. State v. Davenport, 08-463 (La.App. 5th Cir.11/25/08), 2 So.3d 445; State v. Godbolt, 2006-0609 (La.App. 1st Cir.11/3/06), 950 So.2d 727. When circumstances exist that intoxication could have precluded specific intent, the burden shifts to the state to show beyond a reasonable doubt that specific intent was present. Whether intoxication is sufficient to negate specific intent is a question for the trier of fact. State v. Davenport, supra.
See also State ex rel. D.D., 11-1384 (La.App. 3 Cir. 3/7/12), 86 So.3d 171.
In its opposition, the State asserts that Defendant did not raise the defense of
intoxication at trial. The record reflects, however, that in closing argument,
defense counsel urged the jury to consider Defendant’s intoxicated and drugged
state as a defense to the element of specific intent. Additionally, with regard to
specific intent, the trial court instructed the jury to consider the defense of
intoxication as follows:
Specific criminal intent is that state of mind which exists when the circumstances indicate that the offender actively desired the prescribed criminal consequences to follow his act or failure to act.
The fact that a defendant was in an intoxicated condition at the time of the commission of the crime is usually not a defense. However, where the circumstances indicate that the defendant voluntarily became intoxicated or drugged and that his intoxicated condition precluded the presence of a specific criminal intent required in a particular crime, this fact constitutes a defense to a prosecution for that crime. Voluntary intoxication is a defense to the charge of simple burglary only if the circumstances indicate that it has precluded the
6 presence of specific criminal intent. The specific legal question is not whether the requisite specific intent was formed but, rather, whether at the time the unauthorized entry occurred the defendant was so intoxicated as to preclude the existence of any criminal -- any specific intent on his part to commit a theft or felony therein.
A review of the record herein indicates that there were no eyewitnesses to
the offenses. Dr. Goodeaux testified that on August 20, 2009, he discovered that
someone had broken into his veterinary clinic. The window to the left of the front
door had been knocked out. Dr. Goodeaux also observed credit card receipts in the
driveway outside the clinic which had been removed from a drawer located inside
the clinic. After the police had secured the building, Dr. Goodeaux went through
the building and confirmed that none of the pharmaceuticals were missing. Glass
from the window was scattered around the front room, and blood spots were
observed throughout the clinic. The drawers in the front desk appeared as though
someone had rummaged through them; they were left open. Dr. Goodeaux also
testified about a truck he had purchased for his veterinary practice that was parked
in front of the clinic; he had not yet started using the truck. The steering column of
the truck had been destroyed.
On cross-examination, Dr. Goodeaux indicated that some things were
missing from the front drawer, including stamps, pocket change, and a prescription
belonging to his secretary. He stated that he learned about the missing stamps
from his secretary.
Amy Miller, Dr. Goodeaux’s veterinary assistant, testified that when she
arrived at work on August 20, 2009, she observed that a window had been smashed
in and that someone had invaded the building. Ms. Miller saw blood on the floor
and throughout the clinic and noticed that someone had gone through the drawers
in the both the secretary’s office and Dr. Goodeaux’s office. A binder in which
clients’ credit card receipts were stored was found outside the clinic in a ditch.
7 Ms. Miller also stated that the truck parked outside was damaged after she left
work the previous day.
On cross-examination, Ms. Miller explained that she shared the front desk
with the secretary. A tray was missing that contained stamps, loose change, and
things of that nature. She was not certain, however, of the exact time the
secretary’s prescription went missing, only that it was not there when she arrived
that morning.
Sergeant Gary Nezat, with the City of Scott Police Department, testified that
when he arrived at the scene, he recovered a stone found at the base of the broken
window; the stone had blood on it. He also observed blood on the fabric window
blind and on a bloody rag inside the window. Once inside the building, Sergeant
Nezat did not see anything out of the ordinary or that appeared to be disturbed. He
stated that the steering column on the truck parked at the clinic had been “busted.”
Sergeant Nezat submitted into evidence several swabs of blood that were
collected at the scene, along with the bloody rag. On cross-examination, Sergeant
Nezat confirmed that he wrote in his report, “After the inventory of the business by
personnel, no property had appeared to be missing.”
Detective Durand Hebert, with the City of Scott Police Department, testified
that he photographed the broken window of the office, the blood droplets
throughout the building, and the damaged truck parked outside the building.
Detective Hebert identified photographs of the secretary’s chair with blood on it,
the desk with opened drawers, the wooden desk top and counter top with blood on
them, and the damaged steering column and ignition of the truck. Based on his
experience, Detective Hebert believed that the truck had been tampered with in an
attempt to start it without the keys.
8 The biological material collected at the crime scene was submitted to be
analyzed and compared to the CODIS (Combined DNA Index System). The blood
samples were subsequently matched to Defendant. Detective Hebert then obtained
a search warrant to secure biological material from Defendant to compare and
either confirm or eliminate him as a suspect. Defendant was interviewed on
April 9, 2010, after he waived his Miranda rights. Detective Herbert testified that
Defendant did not appear intoxicated, and he freely and voluntarily answered the
questions. Detective Hebert did not tell Defendant about specific facts of the
offenses; Defendant volunteered the facts heard on the recorded statement. An
audio recording of Defendant’s interview was played for the jury.
In his recorded statement, Defendant indicated he was drunk and had
smoked crack cocaine prior to the commission of the offenses. Although he did
not remember the time he committed the offenses, he recalled that he was alone.
He could also remember some of the details of the offenses. Defendant stated that
he first tried to break the front window of the veterinary clinic by kicking it. He
then took what may have been a brick, threw it through the window, reached
through the broken window, and opened the door. Defendant testified that once he
realized what he was doing, he left the building. When Detective Hebert informed
him that his blood was found on the counters and drawers of the clinic, Defendant
then admitted that he had rummaged through the desk drawers. He maintained,
however, that he was searching for a Band-Aid for his bleeding hand. Defendant
reiterated that he was under the influence of alcohol and crack cocaine and did not
know what happened.
With regard to the truck, Defendant recalled that the door to the truck was
“open,” and he looked inside for a Band-Aid. He then found a screwdriver on the
floorboard of the truck and unsuccessfully tried to turn the ignition with
9 screwdriver. Defendant stated that he intended to drive the truck home if it would
have the started. When the truck did not start, he headed home on foot and later
hitch-hiked a ride to his home.
Bethany Harris, a DNA analyst at the Acadian Crime Lab, testified that a
DNA profile was developed from one of the swabs entered into a database. The
DNA profile matched another DNA profile, that of Defendant, already in the
database. After Defendant was located, a reference sample was obtained from him
to confirm that the DNA from the crime scene belonged to him. The profile
obtained from the reference was the same profile obtained from the evidence
sample. To a reasonable degree of scientific certainty, Ms. Harris stated that
Defendant was in fact the source of the DNA profile obtained from the blood on
the swab collected at the scene. The report issued by the crime lab was offered
into evidence.
In closing arguments, defense counsel raised the possibility of Defendant’s
intoxication and drugged state as a defense for simple burglary. However, the only
evidence introduced at trial that Defendant was intoxicated and/or under the
influence of drugs was his recorded statement taken almost eight months after the
offenses. Also, Defendant was able to recall details of the offenses that had not
been shared with him by police prior to his statement. As noted by this court in
State ex rel. D.D., 86 So.3d at 178:
A defendant’s voluntary intoxication may be asserted as a defense “where the circumstances indicate that an intoxicated or drugged condition has precluded the presence of a specific criminal intent or of special knowledge required in a particular crime.” La. R.S. 14:15(2). “It is, however, an affirmative defense, and the burden is on defendant to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that he was in fact intoxicated at the time of the offense.” State v. Mack, 45,552, p. 3 (La.App. 2 Cir. 8/11/10), 46 So.3d 801, 803. See also State v. Bias, 10-1440 (La.App. 3 Cir. 5/4/11), 63 So.3d 399, writ denied, 11-1063 (La.11/14/11), 75 So.3d 939.
10 Without any additional evidence of Defendant’s intoxication or drug use at the
time of the offenses, combined with his ability to recall specific details about the
offenses, we find that he did not prove by a preponderance of the evidence that he
was so intoxicated or under the influence of drugs at the time of the offenses in
order to preclude specific intent on his part to commit a theft or felony while inside
the veterinary clinic and vehicle. As such, there is no merit in this assignment of
error.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NUMBER TWO
In the alternative, Defendant argues that the State failed to prove he
committed simple burglary of the vehicle. Defendant contends that the State did
not prove he specifically intended to commit a felony after entering the truck
because he did not take anything of value from inside the truck. Defendant
concedes that he tried to use the truck to drive home.
Dr. Goodeaux’s testimony reflects that the steering column of the truck was
destroyed, which is consistent with Detective Hebert’s opinion that the perpetrator
tried to start the truck without keys. However, no testimony or evidence was
introduced to show that Defendant took anything of value from inside the truck.
Accordingly, Defendant contends that the taking or using a truck without
authorization constitutes a felony; it does not constitute a felony or theft therein or
inside the vehicle.
Defendant acknowledges that in State v. Craig, 32,209 (La.App. 2 Cir.
8/18/99), 747 So.2d 604, the court held that the defendant found trying to steal a
vehicle could be convicted of simple burglary and that the theft of an entire
movable constituted a theft therein. In reaching this conclusion, the court stated:
A violation of La. R.S. 14:62, simple burglary, occurs when a person enters into a structure (a vehicle is explicitly included) without authority and with the specific intent to commit a felony or theft
11 therein. State v. Robinson, 29,488 (La.App.2d Cir.06/18/97), 697 So.2d 607; State v. Mitchell, 96-207 (La.App. 3d Cir.10/09/96), 684 So.2d 6. Simple burglary has substantial inchoate or incomplete elements, i.e., an unauthorized entering of a vehicle with the intent to commit a theft therein. If the intent is present, an actual theft does not have to be consummated. In this respect, simple burglary is also an attempted theft.
....
Whether an actor is charged with attempted theft or simple burglary is within the discretion of the prosecuting authority. That the prosecution could have chosen to charge defendant with attempted theft is of no moment. It is not unusual that an accused’s conduct falls within the definition of more than one criminal statute with significant differences in penalties. The district attorney has the sole discretion to choose under which law he will prosecute. See United States v. Batchelder, 442 U.S. 114, 99 S.Ct. 2198, 60 L.Ed.2d 755 (1979); La. R.S. 14:4; La.C.Cr.P. art. 61; State v. Walters, 440 So.2d 115 (La.1983); State v. Flores, 27,736 (La.App.2d Cir.02/28/96), 669 So.2d 646.
. . . While defendant poses an interesting question, i.e., whether the theft or attempted theft of an entire movable constitutes a theft therein, the fact remains that if someone is inside a vehicle attempting to steal that vehicle, his intent is to commit a theft therein, not only of the contents but of the vehicle itself. See State v. Augustus, 93-406 (La.App. 5th Cir.02/23/94), 633 So.2d 783; State v. Pierce, 450 So.2d 730 (La.App. 5th Cir.1984).
Id. at 606.
Defendant stresses that since the 1999 Craig decision, La.R.S. 14:67.26 was
enacted, clearly defining theft of a motor vehicle.3 Section A of La.R.S. 14:67.26
reads, in pertinent part, as follows:
Theft of a motor vehicle is the intentional performance of any of the following acts:
(1) The taking of a motor vehicle, which belongs to another, either without the owner’s consent or by means of fraudulent conduct, practices, or representations, with the intention to permanently deprive the owner of the motor vehicle; or
3 Louisiana Revised Statutes 14:67.26 was added by 2008 La. Acts No. 633, § 1 and amended by 2010 La. Acts. No. 585, § 1. 12 (2) The taking control of a motor vehicle that is lost or mis- delivered under circumstances which provide a means of inquiry as to the true owner, and the person in control of the motor vehicle does not make reasonable efforts to notify or locate the true owner; or
(3) The taking control of a motor vehicle when the person knows or should have known that the motor vehicle has been stolen.
Defendant also points out that the legislature specifically defined the
unauthorized use of a motor vehicle as a separate and distinct offense in La.R.S.
14:68.4(A), which reads, “ Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle is the intentional
taking or use of a motor vehicle which belongs to another, either without the
other’s consent, or by means of fraudulent conduct, practices, or representations,
but without any intention to deprive the other of the motor vehicle permanently.”
By these specific enactments, Defendant maintains that the legislature clearly
intended for the unauthorized use or the taking of a vehicle to be prosecuted under
one of these provisions rather than simple burglary. Defendant concludes that the
element of simply burglary, the specific intent to commit a felony or theft therein,
does not apply when the intent is to take or use a vehicle without authorization.
Prior to Craig, this court in State v. Morris, 614 So.2d 180, 184 (La.App. 3
Cir. 1993), found that, “When defendant crawled into the cab of the truck with the
intent to commit a theft of the truck or any of its parts, or with the intent to commit
a felony, such as unauthorized use of a movable, he was committing simple
burglary.” In addition to his lack of authority or the owner’s consent to enter or
use the truck, the court found the fact that the defendant immediately started the
truck, drove it off a car lot, and sought the help of another person to hide the truck
established that he entered the truck with the intent to commit a theft or other
felony.
The record herein reflects that Defendant did not take anything of value
from inside the truck but, instead, damaged the steering column of the vehicle in an
13 attempt to take the truck. In State v. Wilson, 26 So.3d at 215, the court stated:
Although intent to commit a burglary is a question of fact, it need not be proved as a fact. It may be inferred from the circumstances. State v. Robinson, 29,488 (La.App. 2d Cir.6/18/97), 697 So.2d 607, writ denied, 1997-1845 (La.12/12/97), 704 So.2d 1200. A taking is not required. State v. Wright, 36,635 (La.App. 2d Cir.3/7/03), 840 So.2d 1271. Displacement of the victim's possessions may be indicative of the specific intent to commit a theft. State v. Bell, [42,394 (La.App. 2 Cir. 12/5/07), 972 So.2d 1207]; State v. Wright, supra.
Similarly, the court in State v. Jones, 97-2591, p. 8 (La.App. 4 Cir. 9/8/99), 744
So.2d 165, 169, writ denied, 99-3141 (La. 4/7/00), 759 So.2d 91, explained, “The
essence of burglary . . . is an unauthorized entry with criminal intent; a taking is
not required.” Considering this court’s ruling in State v. Morris, 614 So.2d 180,
and the related jurisprudence, we find that the elements of simple burglary of the
vehicle herein were proven by the State at trial; thus, this assignment of error is
without merit.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NUMBER THREE
By this assignment of error, Defendant argues that his mandatory life
sentence is unconstitutionally excessive under the facts of this case. In light of the
fact that we vacate Defendant’s habitual offender sentence due to an error patent,
this assignment of error is rendered moot.
DISPOSITION
Defendant’s burglary convictions are affirmed. His habitual offender
sentence is vacated, and the matter is remanded for resentencing with the trial court
being ordered to specify which of Defendant’s two burglary sentences is being
enhanced and which original sentence is being vacated.
CONVICTIONS AFFIRMED; HABITUAL OFFENDER SENTENCE VACATED; AND REMANDED FOR RESENTENCING WITH INSTRUCTIONS.