Title: State v. Morris

State: arizona

Issuer: Arizona Supreme Court

Document:

97 Ariz. 417 (1965) 401 P.2d 147 The STATE of Arizona, Appellee, v. George E. MORRIS, Appellant. No. 1358. Supreme Court of Arizona. En Banc. April 14, 1965. Darrell F. Smith, Atty. Gen., Phoenix, Norman E. Green, Pima County Atty., Tucson, for appellee. Leon Thikoll, Tucson, for appellant. McFARLAND, Justice: This is an appeal by George E. Morris, hereinafter referred to as defendant, from a judgment and sentence of from three to five years in the State Prison, rendered upon a plea of guilty to lewd and lascivious acts in violation of A.R.S. § 13-652, quoted as follows: Defendant's brief cites solely one cause for this appeal viz., the sentence was excessive, and was an abuse of the trial court's discretion, and this court, under the authority of A.R.S. § 13-1717 B, should modify the sentence. To support his argument for objection, defendant notes that this was his first offense, and that his record is free of prior criminal conduct. A.R.S. § 13-652 provides a punishment of one to five years for its violation. This court held, in the case of State v. Castano, 89 Ariz. 231, 360 P.2d 479: This court has repeatedly followed the ruling set forth in the Castano case. State v. Sparks, 97 Ariz. 358, 400 P.2d 586 (April 1, 1965); State v. King, 96 Ariz. 45, 391 P.2d 598; State v. Maberry, 93 Ariz. 306, 380 P.2d 604; State v. Killian, 91 Ariz. 140, 370 P.2d 287. The record here on appeal reveals no abuse of the trial judge's discretion upon imposing the sentence in question. The act for which defendant pleaded guilty was carried on with a boy eight years of age. The signed statement of defendant admits many such acts. While mostly with men, it sets forth a depraved record. Defendant who was represented by counsel was sentenced within the limits provided for by statute, and therefore there was no abuse of discretion. The sentencing court is not required to render a minimum sentence to the first offender. State v. Killian, supra. Judgment and sentence affirmed. LOCKWOOD, C.J., STRUCKMEYER, V.C.J., and BERNSTEIN and UDALL, JJ., concurring.