Case Name: STATE ex rel. Leslie F. WALGAMOTTE v. Frank BLACKBURN, Warden, Louisiana State Penitentiary
Court: Louisiana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1986-02-07
Citations: 481 So. 2d 1322
Docket Number: No. 85-KH-0422
Parties: STATE ex rel. Leslie F. WALGAMOTTE v. Frank BLACKBURN, Warden, Louisiana State Penitentiary.
Judges: 
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 481
Pages: 1322–1323

Head Matter:
STATE ex rel. Leslie F. WALGAMOTTE v. Frank BLACKBURN, Warden, Louisiana State Penitentiary.
No. 85-KH-0422.
Supreme Court of Louisiana.
Feb. 7, 1986.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM.
Sentence to life without benefit, the maximum under the Habitual Offender Law, LSA-R.S. 15:529.1, for a fourth offender before the court on the non-violent crime of possessing stolen things, LSA-R.S. 14:69, appears to be unconstitutionally excessive. Compare Solem v. Helm, 463 U.S. 277, 103 S.Ct. 3001, 77 L.Ed.2d 637 (1983). Defendant's sentence is vacated and he is to be resentenced complying fully with LSA-C. Cr.P. art. 894.1.
SENTENCE VACATED; REMANDED TO TRIAL COURT.
. Defendant's other convictions involved simple burglary, receiving stolen goods, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute,