NOT DESIGNATED FOR PUBLICATION
STATE OF LOUISIANA COURT OF APPEAL, THIRD CIRCUIT
12-78
STATE OF LOUISIANA
VERSUS
WILLIAM DAVID DEFOOR, III AKA WILLIAM DEFOOR
**********
APPEAL FROM THE THIRTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF VERNON, NO. 80178 HONORABLE VERNON B. CLARK, DISTRICT JUDGE
PHYLLIS M. KEATY JUDGE
Court composed of John D. Saunders, Billy Howard Ezell, and Phyllis M. Keaty, Judges.
AFFIRMED.
Asa A. Skinner District Attorney Drew W. Mason Assistant District Attorney Post Office Box 1188 Leesville, Louisiana 71496-1188 (337) 239-2008 Counsel for Appellee: State of Louisiana
Douglas Lee Harville Louisiana Appellate Project 400 Travis Street, Suite 1702 Shreveport, Louisiana 71101 (318) 222-1700 Counsel for Defendant/Appellant: William David Defoor, III KEATY, Judge.
Defendant, William D. Defoor, III, aka William Defoor, pled guilty to two
counts of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile and was sentenced to four years at
hard labor on each count, to run concurrently, with credit for time served. He was
also ordered to pay a fine and to register as a sex offender. He now appeals,
alleging that his sentence is excessive. For the following reasons, we affirm.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On November 2, 2010, Defendant was charged by bill of information with
three counts of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile, 1 in violation of La.R.S.
14:80. He originally pled not guilty to all counts but later pled guilty to counts one
and two, and the State agreed to dismiss count three. The trial court ordered a pre-
sentence investigation report before sentencing. Defendant was sentenced to four
years at hard labor on each count, to run concurrently, with credit for time served.
He was ordered to pay a fine of $1,200 plus court costs and to register as a sex
offender. The trial court allowed Defendant to have contact with his children and
step-children as an exception to the sex offender restrictions. On November 29,
2011, Defendant filed a motion to reconsider sentence that was subsequently
denied. He now appeals, asserting in his sole assignment of error that his sentence
is excessive.
The following factual basis was read into the record at Defendant’s guilty
plea hearing:
[O]n or about June 10th of 2010; and, then again on June 13th, 2010, as set forth in count two, the defendant at the time, who was twenty- nine years of age, engaged in sexual intercourse with a child who was at that time thirteen years of age. That this occurred in his home and that home being located within the boundaries of Vernon Parish. . . .
1 As will be discussed in the errors patent section of this opinion, in Count 1, the bill charged Defendant with sexual battery, in violation of La.R.S. 14:43.1, or, in the alternative, felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile, in violation of La.R.S. 14:80. In the statement of facts contained in his brief to this court, Defendant
explained that he and the victim engaged in consensual sexual intercourse while
the victim was babysitting for him and his wife.
DISCUSSION
Errors Patent
In accordance with La.Code Crim.P. art. 920, all appeals are reviewed by
this court for errors patent on the face of the record. After a thorough review, we
have found one error patent in the bill of information. Relative to Count 1, the bill
charged Defendant with sexual battery, in violation of La.R.S. 14:43.1, or, in the
alternative, felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile, in violation of La.R.S. 14:80.
Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Articles 482 and 493 allow for certain offenses
to be joined in an indictment and for certain offenses to be charged in the
alternative. There is no statutory authority allowing carnal knowledge of a juvenile
to be charged as an alternative to sexual battery. However, Defendant failed to file
a motion to quash the bill of information on this basis. Additionally, when
Defendant entered an unqualified guilty plea, he waived review of any pre-plea
non-jurisdictional defects. Thus, any error was waived. See State v. Crosby, 338
So.2d 584 (La.1976).
Excessiveness of Sentence
Defendant contends that his sentence is harsh and unconstitutionally
excessive. He submits that given the minor nature of his criminal record and the
fact that he has young children that he supports by working in the oilfield, the
imposition of two four-year sentences, to be served concurrently, amounts to
―nothing more than purposeless and needless imposition of pain and suffering.‖
In State v. Williams, 02-707, pp. 7-9 (La.App. 3 Cir. 3/5/03), 839 So.2d
1095, 1100-01, we stated: 2 La. Const. art. 1, § 20 ensures that ―[n]o law shall subject any person to . . . cruel, excessive, or unusual punishment.‖ A punishment is considered constitutionally excessive if it ―(1) makes no measurable contribution to acceptable penal goals of punishment and hence is nothing more tha[n] the purposeful and needless imposition of pain and suffering; or (2) is grossly out of proportion to the severity of the crime.‖ State v. Wilson, 96-1392, p. 3 (La.12/13/96); 685 So.2d 1063, 1065 (citing Gregg v. Georgia, 428 U.S. 153, 96 S.Ct. 2909, 49 L.Ed.2d 859 (1976)). When reviewing a sentence, the appellate court must be mindful that the trial court is in the best position to consider the aggravating and mitigating circumstances of each case and that the trial court is given broad discretion in sentencing. State v. Cook, 95- 2784 (La.5/31/96); 674 So.2d 957. As such, the reviewing court will determine whether the trial court abused its broad discretion, not whether another sentence may have been more appropriate. Id.
The trial court must state for the record the considerations taken into account and the factual basis for the sentence. La.Code Crim.P. art. 894.1(C). Although the trial court need not refer to every factor listed in Article 894.1(A), the record should affirmatively reflect that adequate consideration was given to codal guidelines in particularizing the defendant’s sentence. State v. Iron, 00-1238 (La.App. 3 Cir. 2/15/01); 780 So.2d 1123, writ denied, 01-1232 (La.3/15/02); 811 So.2d 898. Yet, when the trial court fails to adequately address the factors of La.Code Crim.P. art. 894.1, ―the trial court’s reasoning alone will not necessitate the need for re-sentencing as long as an adequate factual basis is found within the record.‖ State v. Butler, 98-1258, p. 7 (La.App. 3 Cir. 2/3/99); 734 So.2d 680, 684.
The trial court may also consider other factors not provided by La.Code Crim.P. art. 894.1. Specifically, when the offense to which the defendant has pled guilty inadequately describes the entire course of the defendant’s conduct, the court may consider the benefit obtained by the defendant through the plea bargain. State v. Lanclos, 419 So.2d 475 (La.1982). The trial court should particularly make such considerations where the plea bargain results in a significant reduction in the defendant’s potential exposure to imprisonment. State v. Robinson, 33,921 (La.App. 2 Cir. 11/1/00); 770 So.2d 868; State v. Waguespack, 589 So.2d 1079 (La.App. 1 Cir.1991), writ denied, 596 So.2d 209 (La.1992). In addition, the trial court may consider other criminal activity which did not result in a conviction. State v. Texada, 98-1647 (La.App. 3 Cir. 5/5/99); 734 So.2d 854, writ denied, 00-2751 (La.6/29/01); 794 So.2d 824.
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NOT DESIGNATED FOR PUBLICATION
STATE OF LOUISIANA COURT OF APPEAL, THIRD CIRCUIT
12-78
STATE OF LOUISIANA
VERSUS
WILLIAM DAVID DEFOOR, III AKA WILLIAM DEFOOR
**********
APPEAL FROM THE THIRTIETH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF VERNON, NO. 80178 HONORABLE VERNON B. CLARK, DISTRICT JUDGE
PHYLLIS M. KEATY JUDGE
Court composed of John D. Saunders, Billy Howard Ezell, and Phyllis M. Keaty, Judges.
AFFIRMED.
Asa A. Skinner District Attorney Drew W. Mason Assistant District Attorney Post Office Box 1188 Leesville, Louisiana 71496-1188 (337) 239-2008 Counsel for Appellee: State of Louisiana
Douglas Lee Harville Louisiana Appellate Project 400 Travis Street, Suite 1702 Shreveport, Louisiana 71101 (318) 222-1700 Counsel for Defendant/Appellant: William David Defoor, III KEATY, Judge.
Defendant, William D. Defoor, III, aka William Defoor, pled guilty to two
counts of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile and was sentenced to four years at
hard labor on each count, to run concurrently, with credit for time served. He was
also ordered to pay a fine and to register as a sex offender. He now appeals,
alleging that his sentence is excessive. For the following reasons, we affirm.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On November 2, 2010, Defendant was charged by bill of information with
three counts of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile, 1 in violation of La.R.S.
14:80. He originally pled not guilty to all counts but later pled guilty to counts one
and two, and the State agreed to dismiss count three. The trial court ordered a pre-
sentence investigation report before sentencing. Defendant was sentenced to four
years at hard labor on each count, to run concurrently, with credit for time served.
He was ordered to pay a fine of $1,200 plus court costs and to register as a sex
offender. The trial court allowed Defendant to have contact with his children and
step-children as an exception to the sex offender restrictions. On November 29,
2011, Defendant filed a motion to reconsider sentence that was subsequently
denied. He now appeals, asserting in his sole assignment of error that his sentence
is excessive.
The following factual basis was read into the record at Defendant’s guilty
plea hearing:
[O]n or about June 10th of 2010; and, then again on June 13th, 2010, as set forth in count two, the defendant at the time, who was twenty- nine years of age, engaged in sexual intercourse with a child who was at that time thirteen years of age. That this occurred in his home and that home being located within the boundaries of Vernon Parish. . . .
1 As will be discussed in the errors patent section of this opinion, in Count 1, the bill charged Defendant with sexual battery, in violation of La.R.S. 14:43.1, or, in the alternative, felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile, in violation of La.R.S. 14:80. In the statement of facts contained in his brief to this court, Defendant
explained that he and the victim engaged in consensual sexual intercourse while
the victim was babysitting for him and his wife.
DISCUSSION
Errors Patent
In accordance with La.Code Crim.P. art. 920, all appeals are reviewed by
this court for errors patent on the face of the record. After a thorough review, we
have found one error patent in the bill of information. Relative to Count 1, the bill
charged Defendant with sexual battery, in violation of La.R.S. 14:43.1, or, in the
alternative, felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile, in violation of La.R.S. 14:80.
Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Articles 482 and 493 allow for certain offenses
to be joined in an indictment and for certain offenses to be charged in the
alternative. There is no statutory authority allowing carnal knowledge of a juvenile
to be charged as an alternative to sexual battery. However, Defendant failed to file
a motion to quash the bill of information on this basis. Additionally, when
Defendant entered an unqualified guilty plea, he waived review of any pre-plea
non-jurisdictional defects. Thus, any error was waived. See State v. Crosby, 338
So.2d 584 (La.1976).
Excessiveness of Sentence
Defendant contends that his sentence is harsh and unconstitutionally
excessive. He submits that given the minor nature of his criminal record and the
fact that he has young children that he supports by working in the oilfield, the
imposition of two four-year sentences, to be served concurrently, amounts to
―nothing more than purposeless and needless imposition of pain and suffering.‖
In State v. Williams, 02-707, pp. 7-9 (La.App. 3 Cir. 3/5/03), 839 So.2d
1095, 1100-01, we stated: 2 La. Const. art. 1, § 20 ensures that ―[n]o law shall subject any person to . . . cruel, excessive, or unusual punishment.‖ A punishment is considered constitutionally excessive if it ―(1) makes no measurable contribution to acceptable penal goals of punishment and hence is nothing more tha[n] the purposeful and needless imposition of pain and suffering; or (2) is grossly out of proportion to the severity of the crime.‖ State v. Wilson, 96-1392, p. 3 (La.12/13/96); 685 So.2d 1063, 1065 (citing Gregg v. Georgia, 428 U.S. 153, 96 S.Ct. 2909, 49 L.Ed.2d 859 (1976)). When reviewing a sentence, the appellate court must be mindful that the trial court is in the best position to consider the aggravating and mitigating circumstances of each case and that the trial court is given broad discretion in sentencing. State v. Cook, 95- 2784 (La.5/31/96); 674 So.2d 957. As such, the reviewing court will determine whether the trial court abused its broad discretion, not whether another sentence may have been more appropriate. Id.
The trial court must state for the record the considerations taken into account and the factual basis for the sentence. La.Code Crim.P. art. 894.1(C). Although the trial court need not refer to every factor listed in Article 894.1(A), the record should affirmatively reflect that adequate consideration was given to codal guidelines in particularizing the defendant’s sentence. State v. Iron, 00-1238 (La.App. 3 Cir. 2/15/01); 780 So.2d 1123, writ denied, 01-1232 (La.3/15/02); 811 So.2d 898. Yet, when the trial court fails to adequately address the factors of La.Code Crim.P. art. 894.1, ―the trial court’s reasoning alone will not necessitate the need for re-sentencing as long as an adequate factual basis is found within the record.‖ State v. Butler, 98-1258, p. 7 (La.App. 3 Cir. 2/3/99); 734 So.2d 680, 684.
The trial court may also consider other factors not provided by La.Code Crim.P. art. 894.1. Specifically, when the offense to which the defendant has pled guilty inadequately describes the entire course of the defendant’s conduct, the court may consider the benefit obtained by the defendant through the plea bargain. State v. Lanclos, 419 So.2d 475 (La.1982). The trial court should particularly make such considerations where the plea bargain results in a significant reduction in the defendant’s potential exposure to imprisonment. State v. Robinson, 33,921 (La.App. 2 Cir. 11/1/00); 770 So.2d 868; State v. Waguespack, 589 So.2d 1079 (La.App. 1 Cir.1991), writ denied, 596 So.2d 209 (La.1992). In addition, the trial court may consider other criminal activity which did not result in a conviction. State v. Texada, 98-1647 (La.App. 3 Cir. 5/5/99); 734 So.2d 854, writ denied, 00-2751 (La.6/29/01); 794 So.2d 824.
―Whoever commits the crime of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile shall
be fined not more than five thousand dollars, or imprisoned, with or without hard
labor, for not more than ten years, or both, provided that the defendant shall not be
eligible to have his conviction set aside or his prosecution dismissed in accordance
3 with the provisions of Code of Criminal Procedure Article 893.‖ La.R.S.
14:80(D)(1).
In the instant case, Defendant was sentenced to four years at hard labor on
each of the two counts to which he pled guilty, to run concurrently, with credit for
time served. Accordingly, his sentence was less than half of the maximum he
could have received on each count. In addition, Defendant’s sentence exposure
was significantly reduced in that his plea agreement resulted in the dismissal of the
third count against him.
The record indicates that the trial court ordered a pre-sentence investigation
report to be prepared prior to sentencing. That report showed that Defendant had
only a small criminal record. However, the report also showed that in November
of 2010, during the pendency of these charges, Defendant was found to have
violated his probation by having contact with the victim.
In considering the factors found in La.Code Crim.P. art. 894.1, the trial court
noted the significant emotional harm suffered by Defendant’s young victim and her
family, and the fact that she was undergoing counseling to deal with the problems
caused by Defendant’s actions. With regard to Defendant’s request that he receive
a lenient sentence so as to minimize the harm that his family would suffer by a
lengthy sentence, the trial court noted that Defendant should have thought of his
family before he chose to commit these crimes. Conversely, the trial court noted
the absence of any substantial grounds that would tend to justify or excuse
Defendant’s criminal conduct. The trial court emphasized the age difference
between the Defendant and his victim and the fact that he took advantage of her in
his home while she was babysitting his children. In light of the circumstances, we
conclude that Defendant’s sentences of four years, to run concurrently, are not
excessive. 4 DECREE
For the foregoing reasons, Defendant’s sentences are affirmed.
This opinion is NOT DESIGNATED FOR PUBLICATION. Uniform Rules—Courts of Appeal, Rule 2–16.3.