Title: Hammons v. State

State: delaware

Issuer: Delaware Supreme Court

Document:

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
WILLIAM HAMMONS,
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No. 387, 2002
Defendant Below,
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Appellant,
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v.
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Court Below: Superior Court
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of the State of Delaware
STATE OF DELAWARE,
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in and for New Castle County
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Cr. ID. No. 9809019760
Plaintiff Below,
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Appellee.
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Submitted: February 25, 2003
Decided: May 16, 2003
Before VEASEY, Chief Justice, HOLLAND and BERGER, Justices.
O R D E R
This 16th day of May, 2003, on consideration of the briefs of the parties, it
appears to the Court that:
1) William J. Hammons pled guilty to second degree rape, first degree unlawful
imprisonment, and third degree assault.  For the rape conviction, the trial court
sentenced him to 20 years at Level V, and ordered that “[t]he first 10 years of this
sentence is a mandatory term of incarceration pursuant to [11 Del.C. §772].”
2) Hammons argues on appeal that the trial court erred in sentencing him to a
mandatory 10 year term, because he should be eligible to earn and receive good time
credit.  Neither the trial court nor the State disagrees with Hammons’ contention that
1Schmitz v. State, Del. Supr., No. 226, 2002, Holland, J. (August 27, 2002).
2
he is eligible for good time credit, and this Court, also, has upheld the interpretation
urged by Hammons.1
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the judgment of the Superior Court
be, and the same hereby is, AFFIRMED.
BY THE COURT:
/s/ Carolyn Berger
Justice