State v. Richmond

896 P.2d 1112, 21 Kan. App. 2d 126, 1995 Kan. App. LEXIS 91
CourtCourt of Appeals of Kansas
DecidedJune 9, 1995
DocketNo. 71,843; 71,844
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 896 P.2d 1112 (State v. Richmond) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Kansas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Richmond, 896 P.2d 1112, 21 Kan. App. 2d 126, 1995 Kan. App. LEXIS 91 (kanctapp 1995).

Opinion

Brazil, C.J.:

Robert L. Richmond appeals the sentences imposed following a guilty plea to three counts of possession of cocaine. He argues that the court erred in ordering him to serve two terms consecutively. He also argues that the State violated the plea agreement. We vacate the sentence and remand for resentencing.

When sentencing Richmond, the court stated that the sentences imposed in 91 CR 1355 would run consecutive to the sentence in 91 CR 1372 as required by statute.

Richmond argues that die trial court erred in ordering the sentences in 91 CR 1355 and 91 CR 1372 to run consecutively. He first argues that the trial court failed to designate whether the terms were concurrent or consecutive when it initially pronounced sen[127]*127tence, implicating State v. Royse, 252 Kan. 394, 845 P.2d 44 (1993). In Royse, the Kansas Supreme Court held that if a trial court fails to designate concurrent or consecutive terms on the record, they are deemed concurrent, and the court may not later vacate the sentence to impose consecutive terms. 252 Kan. at 396, 398. The trial court here pronounced sentence and, upon immediate inquiry by defense counsel, stated that the terms in 91 CR 1355 and 1372 were to be served consecutively. Royse does not apply.

Richmond next argues that the court erred in determining that he was out on bond when arrested the second time. Where the trial court has made a finding of fact, the function of the appellate court is to determine whether the finding is supported by substantial competent evidence. State v. Ratley, 253 Kan. 394, 398, 855 P.2d 943 (1993).

An arrest sheet included in the record indicates that Richmond was arrested on August 23, 1991, and charged with two counts of possession of cocaine in 91 CR 1355. He was released on bond the same day. While out on bond, Richmond was arrested for possession of cocaine in 91 CR 1372. There is substantial competent evidence that Richmond committed the second crime while out on bond.

K.S.A. 1994 Supp. 21-4608(d) states: “Any person who is convicted and sentenced for a crime committed while on release for a felony pursuant to article 28 of chapter 22 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated shall serve the sentence consecutively to the term or terms under which the person was released.” Chapter 22, article 28 deals with release on bond.

However, K.S.A. 1994 Supp. 21-4608(a) states:

“When separate sentences of imprisonment for different crimes are imposed on a defendant on the same date, including sentences for crimes for which suspended sentences, probation or assignment to a community correctional services program have been revoked, such sentences shall run concurrently or consecutively as the court directs. Whenever the record is silent as to the manner in which two or more sentences imposed at the same time shall be served, they shall be served concurrently except as provided in subsections (c), (d), and (e).”

The parties were ordered to show cause why State v. Owens, 19 Kan. App. 2d 773, 875 P.2d 1007 (1994), does not apply. The facts [128]*128of Owens are similar to the ones at hand. Owens was arrested for misdemeanor theft, attempted misdemeanor theft, and possession of cocaine in 91 CR 1929. He was released on bond. A few months later, Owens was charged with possession of cocaine in 92 CR 396. Owens entered into a plea agreement and received probation. His probation was revoked because he committed forgery. The court sentenced Owens in 91 CR 1929 and 92 CR 396 the same day and imposed two terms of 4 to 10 years, to be served consecutively. 19 Kan. App. 2d at 773-74. The court noted that the sentences were required by statute to be consecutive. 19 Kan. App. 2d at 776.

Owens argued that K.S.A. 1992 Supp. 21-4608(1) directed the trial court to exercise its discretion in determining whether sentences imposed on the same day should run concurrently or consecutively. This court held that the provisions of K.S.A. 1992 Supp. 21-4608(1) are specific and take precedence over the general provisions of subsection (4). 19 Kan. App. 2d at 775. In other words, if the court imposes sentences in two cases at the same time, it must exercise its discretion in determining whether the sentences should run concurrently or consecutively, although one of the crimes was committed while defendant was out on bond. The court in Owens held that failure to exercise this discretion is grounds to vacate the sentence and remand for resentencing. 19 Kan. App. 2d at 777.

The State argues that Richmond did not raise the issue in his brief and has thus abandoned it, and the sentence is not illegal and may not be corrected at any time. Ordinarily, an appellate court will not consider an issue not briefed by the parties. However, an appellate court may consider an issue not briefed when consideration of the new issue is necessary to serve the ends of justice or to prevent the denial of a fundamental right. State v. Puckett, 230 Kan. 596, 600-01, 640 P.2d 1198 (1982).

The court here sentenced Richmond in both cases at the same time. The court noted that the sentences would run consecutively “as required by statute.” The facts at hand are nearly identical to those in Owens. Richmond’s sentences must be vacated and the case remanded for resentencing in accordance with Owens.

[129]*129Richmond also argues that the State violated the terms of its plea agreement at sentencing and at the hearing on the motion to modify. Richmond’s plea agreement stated:

“In return for a plea of guilty as charged the State will recommend a minimum sentence of 3-10 years both counts concurrent. This case is to be run concurrent with 91 CR 1372. The State requests that the defendant do 5 days in Jail and then be placed into alternative placement. Conditions of the alternative placement are that the defendant pay a [$500] fine or perform 50 hours community service. Defendant must obtain his GED or its equivalent. Defendant must seek and maintain employment. Defendant shall undergo a drug evaluation and must perform any drug/alcohol counseling as directed by his probation officer.”

The language of the plea agreement in 91 CR 1372 is identical.

Notwithstanding the plea agreement proposed to the trial court, the court suspended imposition of sentence for one year and imposed terms of suspension. Richmond violated the terms of suspension. He admitted to the violations. The court revoked the suspension, then reinstated it. The court transferred supervision to community corrections and extended the terms of suspension for six months. Richmond again violated the terms. The court transferred supervision of Richmond’s suspension to a private probation service. Richmond again violated the terms of his suspended sentence.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

State v. Groshong
Court of Appeals of Kansas, 2026
State v. Mathenia
Court of Appeals of Kansas, 2022
State v. Pierce
Court of Appeals of Iowa, 2018

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
896 P.2d 1112, 21 Kan. App. 2d 126, 1995 Kan. App. LEXIS 91, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-richmond-kanctapp-1995.