Case Title: State v. LaBounty

Citation: 179 Vt. 199, 2005 VT 124, 892 A.2d 203

Docket Number: 

State: vermont

Court: Vermont Supreme Court

Date: 2005-11-18T00:00:00Z

Document:
State v. LaBounty (2004-149); 179 Vt. 199; 892 A.2d 203

2005 VT 124

[Filed 18-Nov-2005]


       NOTICE:  This opinion is subject to motions for reargument under
  V.R.A.P. 40 as well as formal revision before publication in the Vermont
  Reports.  Readers are requested to notify the Reporter of Decisions,
  Vermont Supreme Court, 109 State Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05609-0801 of
  any errors in order that corrections may be made before this opinion goes
  to press.


                                 2005 VT 124

                                No. 2004-149


  State of Vermont	                         Supreme Court

                                                 On Appeal from
       v.	                                 District Court of Vermont,
                                                 Unit No. 3, Franklin Circuit

  Michael LaBounty	                         September Term, 2005


  Michael S. Kupersmith, J.

  James A. Hughes, Franklin County State's Attorney, St. Albans, for
    Plaintiff-Appellee.

  Matthew F. Valerio, Defender General, Henry Hinton, Appellate Defender, and
    Ann E. Johnston, Law Clerk (On the Brief), Montpelier, for
    Defendant-Appellant.


  PRESENT:  Reiber, C.J., Dooley, Johnson and Skoglund, JJ., and 
            Burgess, D.J.,  Specially Assigned

       ¶  1.  JOHNSON, J.   Defendant Michael LaBounty appeals his
  conviction on two counts of grossly negligent operation of a motor vehicle. 
  Defendant argues that the State could properly charge him with only one
  count of grossly negligent operation for a single act of negligent driving
  that resulted in serious bodily injury to two people.  We reverse on one
  count and remand for further sentencing proceedings on the other. 
   
       ¶  2.  Defendant was driving at an extremely high speed in St.
  Albans when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed, severely injuring
  his two passengers.  Defendant was charged with two counts of grossly
  negligent operation under 23 V.S.A. § 1091(b), one for each injured
  passenger.  The trial court determined, without objection, that it was
  appropriate to proceed on both counts, and a jury convicted defendant on
  both counts.  The trial court imposed a sentence of twenty-four months to
  fifteen years on the first count, and a consecutive, suspended sentence of
  five to fifteen years on the second count.

       ¶  3.  Defendant contends that 23 V.S.A. § 1091(b) permits the State
  to charge only one count of grossly negligent operation for a single act of
  driving, regardless of how many injuries resulted from that act.  Because
  defendant failed to object to the trial court's decision to allow the jury
  to consider both counts, we review this issue for plain error only.  State
  v. Oscarson, 2004 VT 4, ¶ 27, 176 Vt. 176,