STATE OF LOUISIANA NO. 19-KA-513
VERSUS FIFTH CIRCUIT
KENNETH THOMAS COURT OF APPEAL
STATE OF LOUISIANA
ON APPEAL FROM THE TWENTY-FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA NO. 18-6562, DIVISION "P" HONORABLE LEE V. FAULKNER, JR., JUDGE PRESIDING
June 03, 2020
FREDERICKA HOMBERG WICKER JUDGE
Panel composed of Judges Susan M. Chehardy, Fredericka Homberg Wicker, and Marc E. Johnson
AFFIRMED FHW SMC MEJ
19-KA-513 1 COUNSEL FOR PLAINTIFF/APPELLEE, STATE OF LOUISIANA Honorable Paul D. Connick, Jr. Thomas J. Butler Andrea F. Long Matthew Whitworth Brittany Beckner
COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANT/APPELLANT, KENNETH THOMAS Bruce G. Whittaker
19-KA-513 2 WICKER, J.
The defendant was convicted, by a jury trial on April 16, 2019, of
unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling (La. R.S. 14:62.3). The trial judge
also found defendant guilty of resisting arrest (La. R.S. 14:108), which was tried
simultaneously. After his motion for new trial was denied, he was sentenced on
May 2, 2019 to six years at hard labor, to run concurrent with his six-month
sentence for his conviction for resisting arrest, and with any sentence he was
presently serving. Thereafter, defendant filed a motion for reconsideration of
sentence, which was denied, and then a motion appeal from the “Trial Verdict
rendered herein on the 16th day of April, 2019 and the Sentence imposed herein on
the 2nd day of May 2019.” In the motion for appeal, defendant stated that “the
anticipated habitual offender bill has not yet been filed.” Defendant’s motion for
appeal was granted by the trial court on June 19, 2019.
On September 18, 2019, the State filed a multiple offender bill of
information against defendant, alleging that he was a fourth or higher felony
offender under La. R.S. 15:529.1. On September 19, 2019, a multiple bill hearing
was held, and the trial court found defendant was a fourth or higher felony offender
under La. R.S. 15:529.1. On October 3, 2019, the trial court vacated its original
sentence and resentenced defendant as a multiple offender to thirty years in the
Department of Corrections without the benefit of probation or suspension of
sentence.
The facts adduced at trial are as follows: On October 13, 2018, Deputy
Clarence Davis with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office was driving in his
marked police unit when he observed a vehicle matching a stolen vehicle alert.
Deputy Davis activated his lights and pulled behind the vehicle. A black male
exited the vehicle and ran toward Friedrichs Street.
19-KA-513 1 Retricia Miller was standing outside her apartment with the door halfway
open at 124 Friedrichs Road, Apartment G, in Terrytown, talking to her neighbor,
when a black male, later identified as defendant, shoved her into the apartment,
entered himself, and locked the door. Ms. Miller’s twelve-year-old daughter was
present during this encounter. Ms. Miller repeatedly told him to leave, however
defendant refused. After observing police officers outside of the residence, she
told him that if he did not leave the apartment by the back door, she would open
the front door. Once defendant went out the back door, she locked him out.
Defendant was then apprehended. At trial, Ms. Miller testified that she did not
give defendant permission to enter the apartment.
In this appeal, defendant’s sole assignment of error challenges the
excessiveness of his multiple offender sentence and also alleges that his defense
counsel was ineffective at the multiple offender hearing. However, defendant’s
motion for appeal was filed on June 18, 2019, and states that defendant was
“aggrieved by: A. The Trial Verdict rendered herein on the 16th day of April,
2019 and the Sentence imposed herein on the 2nd day of May 2019” and that “the
anticipated habitual offender bill has not yet been filed.” Because the motion for
appeal was filed before the state filed a habitual offender bill, the motion does not
provide Defendant with a method to seek review of his adjudication as a multiple
offender or the imposition of an enhanced sentence. See State v. Williams, 12-687
(La. App. 5 Cir. 5/16/13), 119 So.3d 228, 236-237, writ denied, 13-1335 (La.
12/2/13), 126 So.3d 500, (defendant's original motion for appeal, filed on May 26,
2011, and granted on May 31, 2011, specifically stated the verdict and sentences
appealed and could not serve as a motion for appeal of defendant's subsequent
multiple offender adjudication).
The defendant could have filed for direct appeal from his habitual offender
adjudication and enhanced sentence, however, the appeal must have been taken
19-KA-513 2 within the time delay provided in La. C.Cr.P. art. 914. See Williams, 119 So.3d at
236-237. In the instant matter, defendant failed to file any motion for an appeal
under La. C.Cr.P. art. 914 concerning his multiple offender adjudication and
enhanced sentence, and therefore defendant's assignment of error regarding the
excessiveness of his enhanced multiple offender sentence is not properly before
this Court. We therefore do not consider this assignment of error. Should
defendant wish to have his multiple offender proceedings reviewed, his remedy is
to seek reinstatement of his appeal rights in the trial court, by an application for
post-conviction relief seeking an out-of-time appeal. 1
Defendant presents no other assignments of error for consideration. We
have reviewed the record for errors patent, according to La. C.Cr.P. art. 920; State
v. Oliveaux, 312 So.2d 337 (La. 1975); and State v. Weiland, 556 So.2d 175 (La.
App. 5 Cir. 1990), and find the following which merit consideration. 2
While the sentencing minute entry provides that defendant was advised that
he had “two (2) years after judgement of conviction and sentence has become final
to seek post-conviction relief,” the transcript does not contain any such advisal by
the trial court. See State v. Lynch, 441 So.2d 732, 734 (La. 1983). If a trial court
fails to advise, or provides an incomplete advisal, pursuant to La. C.Cr.P. art.
930.8, we may correct this error by informing the defendant of the applicable
prescriptive period for post-conviction relief by means of its opinion. Accordingly,
by way of this opinion, we advise the defendant that no application for post-
conviction relief, including applications which seek an out-of-time appeal, shall be
1 When a defendant fails to move for an appeal within the time provided in La. C.Cr.P. art. 914, he loses his right to obtain an appeal by simply filing a motion for appeal in the trial court. State v. Gray, 04-1272 (La. App. 5 Cir. 4/26/05), 902 So.2d 1060, 1061. After the time for appealing has elapsed, the conviction and sentence are no longer subject to review under the ordinary appellate process, unless the defendant obtains reinstatement of his right to appeal in the district court in which he was convicted. Williams, 119 So.3d at 236-37; State v. Martin, 12-74 (La. App. 5 Cir. 9/25/12), 101 So.3d 1004, 1005. 2 We find that there are errors patent which render the original sentence imposed indeterminate, including the trial court’s decision making the sentence concurrent with a future parole revocation. See State v. Jamison, 17-49 (La. App. 5 Cir. 5/17/17), 222 So.3d 908, 919.
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STATE OF LOUISIANA NO. 19-KA-513
VERSUS FIFTH CIRCUIT
KENNETH THOMAS COURT OF APPEAL
STATE OF LOUISIANA
ON APPEAL FROM THE TWENTY-FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA NO. 18-6562, DIVISION "P" HONORABLE LEE V. FAULKNER, JR., JUDGE PRESIDING
June 03, 2020
FREDERICKA HOMBERG WICKER JUDGE
Panel composed of Judges Susan M. Chehardy, Fredericka Homberg Wicker, and Marc E. Johnson
AFFIRMED FHW SMC MEJ
19-KA-513 1 COUNSEL FOR PLAINTIFF/APPELLEE, STATE OF LOUISIANA Honorable Paul D. Connick, Jr. Thomas J. Butler Andrea F. Long Matthew Whitworth Brittany Beckner
COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANT/APPELLANT, KENNETH THOMAS Bruce G. Whittaker
19-KA-513 2 WICKER, J.
The defendant was convicted, by a jury trial on April 16, 2019, of
unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling (La. R.S. 14:62.3). The trial judge
also found defendant guilty of resisting arrest (La. R.S. 14:108), which was tried
simultaneously. After his motion for new trial was denied, he was sentenced on
May 2, 2019 to six years at hard labor, to run concurrent with his six-month
sentence for his conviction for resisting arrest, and with any sentence he was
presently serving. Thereafter, defendant filed a motion for reconsideration of
sentence, which was denied, and then a motion appeal from the “Trial Verdict
rendered herein on the 16th day of April, 2019 and the Sentence imposed herein on
the 2nd day of May 2019.” In the motion for appeal, defendant stated that “the
anticipated habitual offender bill has not yet been filed.” Defendant’s motion for
appeal was granted by the trial court on June 19, 2019.
On September 18, 2019, the State filed a multiple offender bill of
information against defendant, alleging that he was a fourth or higher felony
offender under La. R.S. 15:529.1. On September 19, 2019, a multiple bill hearing
was held, and the trial court found defendant was a fourth or higher felony offender
under La. R.S. 15:529.1. On October 3, 2019, the trial court vacated its original
sentence and resentenced defendant as a multiple offender to thirty years in the
Department of Corrections without the benefit of probation or suspension of
sentence.
The facts adduced at trial are as follows: On October 13, 2018, Deputy
Clarence Davis with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office was driving in his
marked police unit when he observed a vehicle matching a stolen vehicle alert.
Deputy Davis activated his lights and pulled behind the vehicle. A black male
exited the vehicle and ran toward Friedrichs Street.
19-KA-513 1 Retricia Miller was standing outside her apartment with the door halfway
open at 124 Friedrichs Road, Apartment G, in Terrytown, talking to her neighbor,
when a black male, later identified as defendant, shoved her into the apartment,
entered himself, and locked the door. Ms. Miller’s twelve-year-old daughter was
present during this encounter. Ms. Miller repeatedly told him to leave, however
defendant refused. After observing police officers outside of the residence, she
told him that if he did not leave the apartment by the back door, she would open
the front door. Once defendant went out the back door, she locked him out.
Defendant was then apprehended. At trial, Ms. Miller testified that she did not
give defendant permission to enter the apartment.
In this appeal, defendant’s sole assignment of error challenges the
excessiveness of his multiple offender sentence and also alleges that his defense
counsel was ineffective at the multiple offender hearing. However, defendant’s
motion for appeal was filed on June 18, 2019, and states that defendant was
“aggrieved by: A. The Trial Verdict rendered herein on the 16th day of April,
2019 and the Sentence imposed herein on the 2nd day of May 2019” and that “the
anticipated habitual offender bill has not yet been filed.” Because the motion for
appeal was filed before the state filed a habitual offender bill, the motion does not
provide Defendant with a method to seek review of his adjudication as a multiple
offender or the imposition of an enhanced sentence. See State v. Williams, 12-687
(La. App. 5 Cir. 5/16/13), 119 So.3d 228, 236-237, writ denied, 13-1335 (La.
12/2/13), 126 So.3d 500, (defendant's original motion for appeal, filed on May 26,
2011, and granted on May 31, 2011, specifically stated the verdict and sentences
appealed and could not serve as a motion for appeal of defendant's subsequent
multiple offender adjudication).
The defendant could have filed for direct appeal from his habitual offender
adjudication and enhanced sentence, however, the appeal must have been taken
19-KA-513 2 within the time delay provided in La. C.Cr.P. art. 914. See Williams, 119 So.3d at
236-237. In the instant matter, defendant failed to file any motion for an appeal
under La. C.Cr.P. art. 914 concerning his multiple offender adjudication and
enhanced sentence, and therefore defendant's assignment of error regarding the
excessiveness of his enhanced multiple offender sentence is not properly before
this Court. We therefore do not consider this assignment of error. Should
defendant wish to have his multiple offender proceedings reviewed, his remedy is
to seek reinstatement of his appeal rights in the trial court, by an application for
post-conviction relief seeking an out-of-time appeal. 1
Defendant presents no other assignments of error for consideration. We
have reviewed the record for errors patent, according to La. C.Cr.P. art. 920; State
v. Oliveaux, 312 So.2d 337 (La. 1975); and State v. Weiland, 556 So.2d 175 (La.
App. 5 Cir. 1990), and find the following which merit consideration. 2
While the sentencing minute entry provides that defendant was advised that
he had “two (2) years after judgement of conviction and sentence has become final
to seek post-conviction relief,” the transcript does not contain any such advisal by
the trial court. See State v. Lynch, 441 So.2d 732, 734 (La. 1983). If a trial court
fails to advise, or provides an incomplete advisal, pursuant to La. C.Cr.P. art.
930.8, we may correct this error by informing the defendant of the applicable
prescriptive period for post-conviction relief by means of its opinion. Accordingly,
by way of this opinion, we advise the defendant that no application for post-
conviction relief, including applications which seek an out-of-time appeal, shall be
1 When a defendant fails to move for an appeal within the time provided in La. C.Cr.P. art. 914, he loses his right to obtain an appeal by simply filing a motion for appeal in the trial court. State v. Gray, 04-1272 (La. App. 5 Cir. 4/26/05), 902 So.2d 1060, 1061. After the time for appealing has elapsed, the conviction and sentence are no longer subject to review under the ordinary appellate process, unless the defendant obtains reinstatement of his right to appeal in the district court in which he was convicted. Williams, 119 So.3d at 236-37; State v. Martin, 12-74 (La. App. 5 Cir. 9/25/12), 101 So.3d 1004, 1005. 2 We find that there are errors patent which render the original sentence imposed indeterminate, including the trial court’s decision making the sentence concurrent with a future parole revocation. See State v. Jamison, 17-49 (La. App. 5 Cir. 5/17/17), 222 So.3d 908, 919. However, as that sentence was vacated and an enhanced sentence imposed, we need not address the errors patent in the now vacated sentence.
19-KA-513 3 considered if it is filed more than two years after the judgment of conviction and
sentence has become final under the provisions of La. C.Cr.P. arts. 914 or 922.
See State v. Oliver, 14-428 (La. App. 5 Cir. 11/25/14), 165 So.3d 970, 978, writ
denied, 14-2693 (La. 10/9/15), 178 So.3d 1001.
For the above discussed reasons, defendant’s conviction is affirmed.
AFFIRMED
19-KA-513 4 SUSAN M. CHEHARDY CURTIS B. PURSELL
CHIEF JUDGE CLERK OF COURT
MARY E. LEGNON 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 JUNE 3, 2020 TO THE TRIAL JUDGE, CLERK OF COURT, COUNSEL OF RECORD AND ALL PARTIES NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL, AS LISTED BELOW:
19-KA-513 E-NOTIFIED 24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT (CLERK) HON. LEE V. FAULKNER, JR. (DISTRICT JUDGE) THOMAS J. BUTLER (APPELLEE) ANDREA F. LONG (APPELLEE)
MAILED BRUCE G. WHITTAKER (APPELLANT) HONORABLE PAUL D. CONNICK, JR. LOUISIANA APPELLATE PROJECT (APPELLEE) 1215 PRYTANIA STREET DISTRICT ATTORNEY SUITE 332 BRITTANY BECKNER (APPELLEE) NEW ORLEANS, LA 70130 MATTHEW WHITWORTH (APPELLEE) ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEYS TWENTY-FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT 200 DERBIGNY STREET GRETNA, LA 70053