Case Title: State v. Tessier

Citation: 346 A.2d 121

Docket Number: 

State: rhode-island

Court: Rhode Island Supreme Court

Date: 1975-10-31T00:00:00Z

Document:
346 A.2d 121 (1975) STATE v. John J. TESSIER. No. 74-153-C.A. Supreme Court of Rhode Island. October 31, 1975. Julius C. Michaelson, Atty. Gen., William Granfield Brody, Sp. Asst. Atty. Gen., for plaintiff. William F. Reilly, Public Defender, Allegra E. Munson, Asst. Public Defender, for defendant. PER CURIAM. In late November 1972 the defendant, John J. Tessier, had a trial by jury on a charge of murder and was found guilty of manslaughter. On March 28, 1973, at the conclusion of the sentencing hearing, the trial justice sentenced the defendant to a term of six years at the Adult Correctional Institutions. Sentence was immediately stayed pending the defendant's appeal to the Supreme Court. Notice of appeal was filed April 3, 1973, and the case was docketed in the Supreme Court on June 13, 1974. The defendant's brief was filed May 7, 1975, and the state's brief was filed August 29, 1975. On October 10, 1975, the defendant waived the scheduled oral argument. The sole contention by defendant on appeal is that the trial justice committed error by abusing his discretion in the conduct of the sentencing hearing of March 28, 1973. Specifically, defendant asserts that *122 the trial justice should not have heard allegations by witnesses that defendant had harassed them in violation of criminal law. The defendant argues that the admission of this testimony exceeded the scope and purpose of the sentencing hearing, since no formal charges based on the alleged conduct had been brought against defendant. The state argues inter alia that defendant is not properly before the Supreme Court because he did not pursue the available remedy of Super.R.Crim.P. 35 in the Superior Court. We agree. Rule 35 became effective September 1, 1972. It reads as follows: Since defendant's appeal amounts to a claim that the sentence was illegally determined and imposed, Super.R.Crim.P. 35 applies. This court has twice urged, without requiring, that Super.R.Crim.P. 35 be pursued before taking an appeal. In State v. Fortes, 114 R.I. 161, 176-77, 330 A.2d 404, 413 (1975), decided last January 10, we said: In State v. Crescenzo, R.I., 332 A.2d 421, 434 (1975), decided last February 3, we said: In the instant case sentence was imposed seven months after Super.R.Crim.P. 35 became effective, and the defendant's brief was filed three months after Fortes and Crescenzo were decided. The defendant and his counsel have had ample time to become familiar with Rule 35 and the necessity *123 of seeking revision under it before coming to this court by appeal. The appeal is dismissed with leave to petition the Superior Court within 120 days in accordance with the provisions of Super. R.Crim.P. 35.