STATE OF LOUISIANA NO. 19-KA-128
VERSUS FIFTH CIRCUIT
ANTHONY O. STOKES COURT OF APPEAL
STATE OF LOUISIANA
ON APPEAL FROM THE TWENTY-FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA NO. 97-3678, DIVISION "I" HONORABLE NANCY A. MILLER, JUDGE PRESIDING
September 04, 2019
MARC E. JOHNSON JUDGE
Panel composed of Judges Marc E. Johnson, John J. Molaison, Jr., and Robert M. Murphy, Ad Hoc
HABITUAL OFFENDER SENTENCE VACATED; REMANDED FOR RESENTENCING MEJ JJM RMM COUNSEL FOR PLAINTIFF/APPELLEE, STATE OF LOUISIANA Paul D. Connick, Jr. Terry M. Boudreaux Darren A. Allemand
COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANT/APPELLANT, ANTHONY O. STOKES Bruce G. Whittaker JOHNSON, J.
Defendant, Anthony O. Stokes, appeals his habitual offender sentence from
the 24th Judicial District Court, Division “I”. For the following reasons, we vacate
the habitual offender sentence and remand the matter with instructions.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY1
On May 27, 1997, the Jefferson Parish District Attorney filed a bill of
information charging Defendant with possession with intent to distribute cocaine in
violation of La. R.S. 40:967(A). After a trial by jury on August 15, 1997,
Defendant was found guilty as charged. See State v. Stokes, 99-1287 (La. App. 5
Cir. 4/13/00); 759 So.2d 980, writ denied, 00-1219 (La. 2/16/01); 802 So.2d 607.
On August 20, 1997, the State filed a habitual offender bill of information, alleging
Defendant was a fourth-felony offender.2 On August 21, 1997, the trial judge
sentenced Defendant to serve seven years at hard labor. Id. Defendant denied the
allegations in the habitual bill of information, and a habitual offender hearing was
held on October 6, 1997. Stokes, 759 So.2d at 982. At the conclusion of the
hearing, the trial judge found Defendant to be a fourth-felony offender and
imposed a sentence of life imprisonment. Defendant’s first appeal ensued. Id.
On first appeal, this Court affirmed Defendant’s conviction and underlying
sentence but vacated his enhanced sentence as a fourth-felony offender and
remanded the matter for the trial court to resentence him as a third-felony
1 This is Defendant’s third appeal. For a full recitation of the underlying facts of this case, please see State v. Stokes, 99-1287 (La. App. 5 Cir. 4/13/00); 759 So.2d 980, writ denied, 00-1219 (La. 2/16/01); 802 So.2d 607. 2 The predicates for the habitual offender bill were as follows: 1) on February 13, 1985, Defendant pleaded guilty in district court case number 84-2228 to attempted simple burglary, a violation of La. R.S. 14:27 and La. R.S. 14:62, in Division “N” of the 24th Judicial District Court; 2) on November 16, 1992, Defendant pleaded guilty in district court case number 92-4000 to simple burglary, a violation of La. R.S. 14:62, in Division “H” of the 24th Judicial District Court; and 3) on January 28, 1994, Defendant pleaded guilty in district court case number 93-4370 to simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling, a violation of La. R.S. 14:62.2, in Division “A” of the 24th Judicial District Court.
19-KA-128 1 offender.3 See Stokes, 759 So.2d at 988. On error patent review, this Court found,
among other errors, that the second and third predicate offenses in the habitual
offender proceeding were out of sequence.4 Id. at 987. This Court stated:
In the instant case, the bill of information in the second predicate offense, 92-4000, charges defendant with committing simple burglary on July 18, 1992. The commitment and waiver of rights form reflect that defendant pled guilty to that offense on November 16, 1992. According to the bill of information for the third predicate offense, 93-4370, defendant committed simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling on March 24, 1992, and pled guilty to that offense on January 28, 1994. Therefore, defendant had not been through the required sequencing because the commission of the third offense (March 24, 1992), occurred before the conviction for the second predicate offense (November 16, 1992). As a result, defendant should not have been found to be and sentenced as a fourth felony offender. In such cases, the remedy is to vacate the enhanced sentence and to remand the matter for the trial court to correct the problem by re- sentencing the defendant as a third felony offender. See State ex rel. Mims v. Butler, 601 So.2d at 655.
Stokes, 759 So.2d at 987-88.
This Court further stated in a footnote:
Proof of the discharge dates of these predicate offenses was not necessary in this case because less than the ten-year cleansing period had elapsed between defendant’s conviction on each predicate felony and the commission of each subsequent predicate felony. This is true regardless of whether the felony in 92-4000 or 93-4370 is used to find defendant a third felony offender.
Id. at 988 n.3.
We concluded that “[b]ecause of the sequencing problem with the offenses
in case number 93-4370 and 92-4000, defendant is subject to sentencing as a third
3 Defendant argued that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the qualifications of a State’s expert and to the lack of proof presented at the habitual offender proceeding. He also argued the State failed to prove by competent evidence that he was a habitual offender. Id. at 985-86. 4 At that time, the Louisiana Supreme Court held in State ex rel Mims v. Butler, 601 So.2d 649 (La. 1992), that La. R.S. 15:529.1 contained a sequential requirement for enhanced penalties in the sentencing of habitual offenders. According to the Mims court, “[t]he cornerstone of that scheme is that felons graduate to second offender status, not by committing multiple crimes, but by committing a crime or crimes after having been convicted.” Id. at 650 (emphasis as found in the original). The Louisiana Supreme Court expressly overruled Mims in State v. Johnson, 03-2993 (La. 10/19/04); 884 So.2d 568, holding that multiple convictions obtained on the same date based on unrelated conduct can be counted separately for sentence enhancement purposes. This Court additionally found on error patent review that the trial court had failed to vacate Defendant’s original sentence upon imposition of his enhanced sentence, rendering his enhanced sentence null and void and requiring a remand for the trial court to vacate the original sentence. This Court also found that Defendant’s enhanced sentence was illegally lenient as it was not imposed without the required restriction of benefits. Stokes, 759 So.2d at 988.
19-KA-128 2 felony offender only.” Id. at 988. Defendant thereafter sought a writ with the
Louisiana Supreme Court, which was denied. State v. Stokes, 00-1219 (La.
2/16/01); 802 So.2d 607.
On remand, the trial judge for the resentencing, who was not the same judge
who presided over Defendant’s trial and habitual offender adjudication, vacated the
original sentence, stating: “I am also going to find the defendant a third felony
offender rather than a fourth felony offender, because there was not an arrest
conviction, arrest conviction on the third conviction. So, that one will be no longer
in effect, but the fourth conviction will become a third conviction.”5 She then
resentenced Defendant to life imprisonment without benefits since “the distribution
of cocaine is one in which under 15:529.1, it requires that a life sentence be
imposed.” On second appeal in 2001, this Court affirmed Defendant’s enhanced
sentence of life imprisonment without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension
of sentence as a third-felony offender imposed after his resentencing.6
In the years that followed, Defendant sought post-conviction relief and filed
motions to correct an illegal sentence and for downward departure, all of which
were denied. See also State ex rel. v. Stokes, 05-667 (La. App. 5 Cir. 6/29/05)
(unpublished writ disposition), writ denied, 05-2193 (La. 6/16/06); 929 So.2d
1274; and State ex rel. v. Stokes, 17-277 (La. App. 5 Cir. 6/14/17) (unpublished
writ disposition), writ denied, 17-1282 (La. 11/5/18); 255 So.3d 1051.
On February 14, 2018, Defendant filed a pro se Motion to Vacate Habitual
Offender Adjudication, arguing that due to the 2001 amendments to the Habitual
Offender Law, he no longer qualified under La. R.S. 15:529.1(A)(1)(b)(ii),
5 While the resentencing transcript is not abundantly clear, the trial judge vacated Defendant’s third predicate conviction for simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling and sentenced him to life imprisonment as a third-felony offender based upon his first and second predicates (the 1985 conviction for attempted simple burglary and the 1992 conviction for simple burglary). The third predicate was also proper in light of the sequencing error discussed by this Court in Defendant’s first appeal. 6 Defendant argued that his life sentence as a third-felony offender was unconstitutionally excessive.
19-KA-128 3 mandating a life sentence for a third-felony offender, but rather, he now fell under
the more lenient provisions. He argued that the maximum sentence he could
receive was 60 years of imprisonment.
After the trial court denied relief, this Court considered Defendant’s
argument. In State v. Stokes, 18-151 (La. 5/8/18) (unpublished writ disposition),
this Court wrote:
WRIT DENIED
Relator, Anthony Stokes, seeks review of the trial court’s February 22, 2018 denial of his “Motion to Vacate Habitual Offender Adjudication.” In his motion, Relator argued his third felony offender adjudication of life imprisonment without the eligibility of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence should be vacated because 1) the underlying offenses were not crimes of violence or sex offenses; 2) the current provisions of the habitual offender law do not permit a sentence of life imprisonment at hard labor without the benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence; and 3) he should have been adjudicated only as a second felony offender, instead of a third felony offender, because his attempted simple burglary was considered in error. The trial court noted that Relator’s adjudication was reviewed on appeal and denied Relator’s motion on the basis that it found no error or legal basis to set aside the habitual offender adjudication. After review, we find the trial court did not err in its ruling. First, Relator’s adjudication and enhanced sentence have been fully litigated, and Relator’s claim that the attempted simple burglary conviction was considered in error is a repetitive claim. See, La. C.Cr.P. 930.4(A); State v. Stokes, 99-1287 (La. App. 5 Cir. 4/12/00); 759 So.2d 980, writ denied, 00-1219 (La. 2/16/01); 802 So.2d 607; State v. Stokes, 00-1904 (La. App. 5 Cir. 4/24/0l)(unpublished writ disposition); and State v. Stokes, 05-667 (La. App. 5 Cir. 7/1/05)(unpublished writ disposition). Additionally, the habitual offender law in effect at the time of the offense provided for life imprisonment without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence for third felony offenses. Accordingly, on the showing made, the writ application is denied.
Defendant sought a writ with the Louisiana Supreme Court, which was
granted on November 5, 2018. In State v. Stokes, 18-0846 (La. 11/5/18); 255
So.3d 1048, the Louisiana Supreme Court vacated Defendant’s sentence and
remanded the matter to the trial court for resentencing pursuant to State ex rel.
Esteen v. State, 16-0949 (La. 1/30/18); 239 So.3d 233.
19-KA-128 4 Following remand, the trial court resentenced Defendant on February 11,
2019, as follows:
THE COURT:
Mr. Stokes, your case was sent back to us from the Supreme Court with instructions to re-sentence you pursuant to Esteen. There were a number of things that were—the law changed after you were sentenced which would make you no longer triple life eligible and the sentence for your underlying charge as well. Based upon consideration of the new multiple bill sentencing range and the new sentencing range for your conviction – your underlying conviction – the Court would now sentence you to sixty years at hard labor in the Department of Corrections with credit for time served from the date of your arrest in this case and this case only.
Defense counsel objected to the sentence on the basis that it was excessive. A
written motion for appeal was filed on February 11, 2019 and was granted on
February 22, 2019.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR
On appeal, Defendant solely alleges the trial court imposed an
unconstitutionally excessive sentence.
LAW AND ANALYSIS
Defendant challenges his 60-year sentence as a third-felony offender
imposed after resentencing in accordance with Esteen, supra. He argues that his
sentence is constitutionally excessive and unsupported by the record. He maintains
that he is a “late middle-aged offender,” and a 60-year sentence is grossly out of
proportion to the seriousness of the offense and is nothing more than a purposeless
and needless infliction of pain and suffering. He argues that the resentencing
judge, who was not the original trial judge in this matter, imposed the maximum
sentence without any consideration of La. C.Cr.P. art. 894.1 or articulation of
reasons to justify the imposition of the sentence. Defendant argues that the trial
judge failed to consider the facts surrounding his underlying conviction and
19-KA-128 5 predicates and failed to consider the intent of the original sentencing judge, who
indicated that he had “no option” but to impose a sentence of life imprisonment.
The failure to file a motion to reconsider sentence, or to state the specific
grounds upon which the motion is based, limits a defendant to a review of the
sentence for constitutional excessiveness only. State v. Taylor, 18-126 (La. App. 5
Cir. 10/17/18); 258 So.3d 217, 224. Here, trial counsel objected to the sentence as
excessive but did not state any specific grounds for the objection. No motion to
reconsider Defendant’s sentence was filed. Therefore, we are constrained to limit
our review to Defendant’s sentence for constitutional excessiveness only.
The Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, § 20
of the Louisiana Constitution prohibit the imposition of excessive punishment.
Although a sentence is within statutory limits, it can be reviewed for constitutional
excessiveness. State v. Mathis, 18-678 (La. App. 5 Cir. 4/3/19); 268 So.3d 1160,
1165 State v. Smith, 01-2574 (La. 1/14/03); 839 So.2d 1, 4. A sentence is
considered excessive if it is grossly disproportionate to the offense or imposes
needless and purposeless pain and suffering. Id. A sentence is grossly
disproportionate if, when the crime and punishment are considered in light of the
harm done to society, it shocks the sense of justice. State v. Lawson, 04-334 (La.
App. 5 Cir. 9/28/04); 885 So.2d 618, 622.
The “deliberate inclusion by the redactors of the [Louisiana] Constitution of
a prohibition against ‘excessive’ as well as cruel and unusual punishment
broadened the duty of [courts] to review the sentencing aspects of criminal
statutes.” State v. Baxley, 94-2982 (La. 5/22/95); 656 So.2d 973, 977. This
constitutional protection against excessive sentence allows courts to review a
sentence within the statutorily prescribed range to determine whether the sentence
of the particular offender is excessive. Id.
The appellate court shall not set aside a sentence for excessiveness if the
19-KA-128 6 record supports the sentence imposed. State v. Pearson, 07-332 (La. App. 5 Cir.
12/27/07); 975 So.2d 646, 656. In reviewing a trial court’s sentencing discretion,
three factors are considered: 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. Id. at 656. The relevant question on appellate review
is not whether another sentence might have been more appropriate but rather
whether the trial court abused its sentencing discretion. Id. Part of the abuse of
discretion inquiry requires a court to consider the crime and the punishment given
in light of the crime’s harm to society and gauge whether the penalty is so
disproportionate as to shock the sense of justice. State v. Aguliar-Benitez, 17-361
(La. App. 5 Cir. 12/10/18); 260 So.3d 1247, 1262, writ denied, 19-147 (La.
6/3/19); 272 So.3d 543. Generally, maximum sentences are reserved for cases
involving the most serious violations of the offense charged and the worst type of
offender. State v. Badeaux, 01-406 (La. App. 5 Cir. 9/25/01); 798 So.2d 234, 239,
writ denied, 01-2965 (La. 10/14/02); 827 So.2d 414.
Recently, in Esteen, supra, the Louisiana Supreme Court explained that a
defendant’s remedy for obtaining the ameliorative provisions enacted by Act 403
and made retroactive for certain offenses in La. R.S. 15:308 was through a motion
to correct illegal sentence filed in the district court. In compliance with the
directive issued by the Louisiana Supreme Court, the trial court resentenced
Defendant under Esteen and imposed a sentence of 60 years imprisonment.
In the instant case, Defendant was convicted of one count of possession with
intent to distribute cocaine in violation of La. R.S. 40:967(A), committed on May
16, 1997.7 Thereafter, Defendant was found to be a third-felony offender and was
7 At the time of the offense in May 1997, possession with intent to distribute cocaine had a sentencing range of “at hard labor for not less than five years nor more than thirty years, with the first five years of said sentence being without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.” La. R.S. 40:967(B).
19-KA-128 7 properly sentenced to life imprisonment under La. R.S. 15:529.1(A)(1)(b)(ii)8 as it
existed in May 1997 at the time he committed the underlying offense.
In 2001, the Louisiana Legislature through Act 403 amended the habitual
offender laws to provide for more lenient penalty provisions; however, the
amendments were given prospective application. In 2006, the Louisiana
Legislature enacted La. R.S. 15:308, which provided that the more lenient penalty
provisions enacted by Act 403 applied retroactively to those defendants who
committed, were convicted of, or were sentenced for certain enumerated offenses
prior to June 15, 2001, if such application ameliorated the defendant’s
circumstances. One such statute amended was La. R.S. 15:529.1(A)(1)(b)(ii)
which addressed enhanced life sentences for third-felony offenders.9 Further,
Defendant committed the instant offense in May 1997, thus the more lenient
penalty provisions apply retroactively to him.
After the 2001 amendments, Defendant’s underlying and predicate
convictions no longer subjected him to a life sentence.10 Under the amendments,
8 At that time, La. R.S. 15:529.1(A)(1)(b)(ii) provided in pertinent part: If the third felony or either of the two prior felonies is a felony defined as a crime of violence under R.S. 14:2(13) or as a violation of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law punishable by imprisonment for more than five years or any other crime punishable by imprisonment for more than twelve years, the person shall be imprisoned for the remainder of his natural life, without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. 9 La. R.S. 15:529.1(A)(1)(b)(ii) was amended to provided: If the third felony and the two prior felonies are felonies defined as a crime of violence under R.S. 14:2(13), a sex offense as defined in R.S. 15:540 et seq. when the victim is under the age of eighteen at the time of commission of the offense, or as a violation of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law punishable by imprisonment for ten years or more or of any other crime punishable by imprisonment for twelve years or more, or any combination of such crimes, the person shall be imprisoned for the remainder of his natural life, without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. La. R.S. 15:529.1(A)(1)(b)(i) remained unchanged by the 2001 amendments, providing, as it did in May 1997: (b) If the third felony is such that upon a first conviction, the offender would be punishable by imprisonment for any term less than his natural life then: (i) The person shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a determinate term not less than two-thirds of the longest possible sentence for the conviction and not more than twice the longest possible sentences prescribed for a first conviction…. 10 As stated in footnote 8, possession with intent to distribute cocaine was punishable by imprisonment of ten years or more under the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law. Simple burglary is punishable by imprisonment for 12 years or more. See La. R.S. 14:62 (“Whoever commits the crime of simple burglary shall be fined not more than two thousand dollars, imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than twelve years, or both.” However, Defendant’s predicate conviction of
19-KA-128 8 Defendant’s underlying conviction of possession with intent to distribute cocaine
and his predicate convictions of attempted simple burglary and simple burglary
subject him to the sentencing provisions of La. R.S. 15:529.1(A)(1)(b)(i), which—
as it existed in both May 1997 and in 2001—provides for a sentencing range of 20
to 60 years. See La. R.S. 15:529.1(A)(1)(b)(i), supra.
After applying the three aforementioned factors, we find that the record does
not support the sentence imposed and the 60-year sentence is unconstitutionally
excessive in this case, as it shocks our sense of justice. Considering the first factor,
the nature of the crime, the facts indicate that Defendant possessed 50 rocks of
crack cocaine11 for distribution, and each rock was valued at ten dollars. Police did
not observe Defendant engage in any narcotics transaction but only observed him
discard the narcotics upon seeing them.
Regarding the nature and background of the offender, Defendant had prior
convictions of attempted simple burglary and simple burglary, as well as his
underlying conviction of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. None of
Defendant’s predicates are crimes of violence, and Defendant’s underlying
conviction of possession with intent to distribute cocaine is his only drug offense.
Further, it is noted that La. R.S. 40:967(B) was amended by Acts 2017, No.
281, § 2, effective August 1, 2017, to change the penalty provisions for offenses
related to Schedule II drugs. Under the amendment, the penalty for possession
with intent to distribute cocaine is dependent on the aggregate weight of the
cocaine involved. Under the current version of La. R.S. 40:967(B)(1)(a),
Defendant would have received a sentence of imprisonment, with or without hard
labor, for not less than one nor more than ten years for possessing the amount of
6.5 grams. It is well-settled that in most instances, the penalty of the offense is
attempted simple burglary did not fall under La. R.S. 15:529.1(A)(1)(b)(ii), as it was not punishable by imprisonment for 12 years or more. 11 The total gross weight was 6.5 grams.
19-KA-128 9 determined as of the date of the offense. State v. Sugasti, 01-3407 (La. 6/21/02);
820 So.2d 518, 522. Nonetheless, in State v. Arceneaux, 18-642 (La. App. 5 Cir.
4/24/19); 271 So.3d 362, this Court stated that consideration may be given to
legislative changes in the penalty for applicable offenses.
As to the third factor, sentences imposed for similar crimes in this and other
courts, we find that the jurisprudence fails to reveal the imposition of a near
maximum sentence under similar circumstances. Rather, the jurisprudence shows
that sentences imposed for third-felony habitual offenders convicted of violations
of La. R.S. 40:967(A) and facing a sentencing range of 20 to 60 years actually
receive a sentencing range from 20 to 45 years.
In State v. Evans, 09-477 (La. App. 5 Cir. 12/29/09); 30 So.3d 958, writ
denied, 10-363 (La. 3/25/11); 61 So.3d 653, this Court upheld a 45-year enhanced
sentence where the defendant was found to be a third-felony habitual offender
upon his possession with intent to distribute cocaine conviction. The defendant’s
prior convictions included armed robbery as a juvenile and possession of cocaine.
Recently, in Arceneaux, supra, this Court held that the defendant’s 55-year
enhanced sentence as a third-felony offender, imposed after resentencing pursuant
to Esteen, supra, was unconstitutionally excessive. The defendant had an
underlying conviction of distribution of cocaine, also a violation of La. R.S.
40:967(A), with predicate convictions of theft over $500, now a misdemeanor
rather than a felony, and simple robbery, a crime of violence. This Court noted
that the defendant sold $20 worth of crack cocaine to an undercover police officer,
and the amount indicated that the defendant was a low level street drug pusher
rather than a major drug dealer. This Court vacated the enhanced sentence and
remanded the matter for resentencing. See also State v. Tomlinson, 06-892 (La.
App. 5 Cir. 3/27/07); 957 So.2d 196, 198-99, writ denied, 07-1068 (La. 11/21/07);
967 So.2d 1154 (where the defendant received a 25-year enhanced sentence as a
19-KA-128 10 third-felony offender for distribution of cocaine with prior convictions for breaking
and entering in North Carolina and publishing a forged check with the intent to
defraud in Florida); State v. Lott, 02-702 (La. App. 5 Cir. 12/30/02); 836 So.2d
584, 587-89, writ denied, 03-499 (La. 10/17/03); 855 So.2d 755 (where the
defendant received a 25-year enhanced sentence as a third-felony offender for
distribution of cocaine with prior convictions for possession of cocaine and
possession of stolen property); State v. Turner, 18-326 (La. App. 4 Cir. 11/28/18);
259 So.3d 1089, 1095-96 (where the defendant received a 25-year sentence as a
third-felony offender for distribution of cocaine with six prior convictions
including second degree battery (a crime of violence) and numerous drug
offenses); State v. Williams, 16-140 (La. App. 3 Cir. 9/28/18); 201 So.3d 379, 394
(where the defendant received a 20-year enhanced sentence as a third-felony
offender for his conviction of possession with intent to distribute cocaine); State v.
Denson, 11-0517 (La. App. 4 Cir. 1/25/12); 83 So.3d 1183, 1190-91, writ denied,
12-0391 (La. 6/22/12); 91 So.3d 967 (where the defendant received a 20-year
enhanced sentence as a third-felony offender with predicate convictions of
possession of cocaine, second-offender marijuana possession, and possession of
heroin); and State v. Bentley, 02-1564 (La. App. 4 Cir. 3/12/03); 844 So.2d 149,
156, writ denied, 03-1156 (La. 11/14/03); 858 So.2d 416 (where the defendant
received the minimum 20-year enhanced sentence as a third-felony offender for his
conviction of distribution of two rocks of cocaine with two prior convictions for
possession of cocaine).
Therefore, we find that Defendant’s 60-year enhanced sentence imposed
after resentencing pursuant to Esteen was unconstitutionally excessive and an
abuse of the trial court’s sentencing discretion, as it is grossly out of proportion to
the seriousness of the offense and is nothing more than a purposeless and needless
infliction of pain and suffering. Accordingly, we vacate Defendant’s enhanced
19-KA-128 11 sentence and remand the matter for resentencing. Pursuant to La. C.Cr.P. art.
881.4(A), this Court may provide direction regarding a constitutionally reasonable
sentence in a given case. Considering the factual circumstances of this case, we
suggest an enhanced sentence between the sentencing range of 20-25 years.12
DECREE
For the foregoing reasons, we find Defendant’s habitual offender sentence to
be unconstitutionally excessive, vacate Defendant’s habitual offender sentence,
and remand the matter to the trial court for resentencing consistent with this
opinion.
HABITUAL OFFENDER SENTENCE VACATED; REMANDED FOR RESENTENCING
12 While we acknowledge the enhanced sentence in Evans, supra, that case is an outlier in the sentencing range and more of the jurisprudence trend toward the 20-25 year sentencing range. Considering the facts of this case, we suggest the lower range for resentencing.
19-KA-128 12 SUSAN M. CHEHARDY MARY E. LEGNON
CHIEF JUDGE INTERIM CLERK OF COURT
FREDERICKA H. WICKER CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK JUDE G. GRAVOIS MARC E. JOHNSON ROBERT A. CHAISSON SUSAN BUCHHOLZ STEPHEN J. WINDHORST FIRST DEPUTY CLERK HANS J. LILJEBERG JOHN J. MOLAISON, JR. FIFTH CIRCUIT MELISSA C. LEDET JUDGES 101 DERBIGNY STREET (70053) DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL STAFF POST OFFICE BOX 489 GRETNA, LOUISIANA 70054 (504) 376-1400
(504) 376-1498 FAX www.fifthcircuit.org
NOTICE OF JUDGMENT AND CERTIFICATE OF DELIVERY I CERTIFY THAT A COPY OF THE OPINION IN THE BELOW-NUMBERED MATTER HAS BEEN DELIVERED IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNIFORM RULES - COURT OF APPEAL, RULE 2-16.4 AND 2-16.5 THIS DAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 TO THE TRIAL JUDGE, CLERK OF COURT, COUNSEL OF RECORD AND ALL PARTIES NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL, AS LISTED BELOW:
19-KA-128 E-NOTIFIED 24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT (CLERK) HONORABLE NANCY A. MILLER (DISTRICT JUDGE) TERRY M. BOUDREAUX (APPELLEE) THOMAS J. BUTLER (APPELLEE) DARREN A. ALLEMAND (APPELLEE)
MAILED BRUCE G. WHITTAKER (APPELLANT) HON. PAUL D. CONNICK, JR. (APPELLEE) ATTORNEY AT LAW DISTRICT ATTORNEY LOUISIANA APPELLATE PROJECT TWENTY-FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT 1215 PRYTANIA STREET 200 DERBIGNY STREET SUITE 332 GRETNA, LA 70053 NEW ORLEANS, LA 70130