Opinion ID: 853915
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Ford's Sentence Was Reasonable

Text: Ford argues that the presumptive sentence for murder was manifestly unreasonable because the court found that Ford was not a threat to anyone else and that the shooting was provoked by Ford's knowledge of his wife's extramarital affair. Sentencing decisions are within the discretion of the trial court and we reverse only upon a showing of manifest abuse of that discretion. Sims v. State, 585 N.E.2d 271 (Ind.1992). When a trial court imposes the presumptive sentence, we presume on appeal that the trial court considered the proper factors in making its sentencing determination. Hammons v. State, 493 N.E.2d 1250 (Ind.1986). We revise these determinations only when we are satisfied that the sentence is manifestly unreasonable. App.R. 17(B). In mitigation, the trial judge recognized that (1) Ford had a negligible criminal history, (2) Ford attempted to be a good father, and (3) Ford was provoked into shooting Regina. The judge found as aggravating circumstances (1) that Ford caused hardship to his children by depriving them of their parents and (2) that his obsessive, controlling behavior precipitated the crime. It appears clear from the statement the trial judge made at the close of the sentencing hearing that she gave adequate thought and consideration to the balancing of aggravating and mitigating factors. Given these factors, imposing the presumptive sentence was reasonable and appropriate.