Opinion ID: 475290
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: the forty-five year prison sentence.

Text: 47 The appellant claims that the forty-five year sentence imposed violates his Eighth Amendment right against cruel and unusual punishment. In Solem v. Helm, 463 U.S. 277, 103 S.Ct. 3001, 77 L.Ed.2d 637 (1983), the Court established a three-step analysis for reviewing whether a sentence violated the Eighth Amendment. This analysis consists of: (1) a comparison of the gravity of the offense and the harshness of the penalty; (2) a comparison of the sentences imposed for the same or similar offenses; and (3) a comparison of the sentences imposed for the same or similar offenses in other jurisdictions. Based on this record we cannot say that the district court exceeded its discretion in imposing the forty-five year sentence on Eggleton. 48 In this case there can be little doubt of the gravity of the offense with which Eggleton is charged. The robbers broke into the Smith home and held the entire family hostage through the night, threatening to kill them if they did not cooperate in the robbery. As a result of being held hostage, the wife of the bank official and his two children became so emotionally distraught that they were having psychological problems at the time of the trial. In addition, the controlling statute, 18 U.S.C. Sec. 2113(e), states that one who is found guilty of bank robbery and kidnapping shall be imprisoned not less than ten years, or punished by death if the verdict shall so direct. The sentence was therefore well within the statutory limits. We therefore cannot say that the gravity of the offense is out of proportion to the harshness of the penalty. 49 With regard to sentences imposed in the same jurisdiction, Eggleton first points to his co-conspirators. Michael Wright received a sentence of five years. Carol Martin received immunity. He fails to mention that Enriquez, although acquitted of this robbery, is presently serving a 50-year sentence in another similar robbery. In addition, it is not necessary that co-defendants receive the same sentences. See United States v. McMahan, 744 F.2d 647, 652 (8th Cir.1984). Factors which may alter the sentences imposed include cooperation with the government, Roberts v. United States, 445 U.S. 552, 557, 100 S.Ct. 1358, 1362, 63 L.Ed.2d 622 (1980), pleading guilty to a lesser charge, and the defendant's role in planning and organizing the crime. It is apparent that these factors may well explain the disparities in his co-defendants' sentences. 50 Eggleton also attempts in Appendix F to point out sentences imposed for other bank robberies in the Eastern District of Missouri. Of these, only two cases involved convictions under 18 U.S.C. Sec. 2113(e)--Larry Wilson's sentence for 15 years and Henry Frank Enriquez' sentence for 50 years. We, therefore, cannot conclude that the trial court's imposition of a 45-year sentence was grossly disproportionate with other sentences imposed in the same jurisdiction. 51 In Appendix E of the appellant's brief, appellant includes a list of sentences imposed for certain offenses throughout the United States. Comparing the sentences in other jurisdictions imposed for violation of 18 U.S.C. Sec. 2113(e) in which no murder was committed, we conclude that the forty-five year sentence in this case is not excessive. In 1979 one defendant received a sentence of 17 years, two others received sentences of 40 years, and another received a sentence of 45 years. In 1980, two defendants received sentences of 30 years. In 1981, one defendant received a sentence of four years, another received a sentence of 20 years, and another received a sentence of 45 years. In 1982, one defendant received a sentence of 10 years, another received a sentence of 15 years, another of 16 years, another of 20 years, and another of 50 years. In light of the fact that during 1979-1982 a number of defendants received sentences at or near the 45-year sentence imposed in this case, we cannot conclude that the sentence imposed by the district court was grossly unfair. Therefore, the district court did not abuse its discretion in sentencing Eggleton to 45 years. 52 For all of the foregoing reasons, we affirm the decision of the district court.