Opinion ID: 1058506
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: sentence for especially aggravated kidnapping

Text: The defendant does not challenge the length of his twenty-five-year sentence for especially aggravated kidnapping. However, he argues the trial court's order that it run consecutively to the sentence of death is flawed in that the trial court failed to make the requisite findings for consecutive sentencing. See State v. Imfeld, 70 S.W.3d 698, 708-09 (Tenn.2002); State v. Lane, 3 S.W.3d 456, 460 (Tenn.1999); State v. Wilkerson, 905 S.W.2d 933, 939 (Tenn.1995). A trial court may impose consecutive sentencing upon a determination that one or more of the criteria set forth in Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-35-115(b) exist. This section permits the trial court to impose consecutive sentences if the court finds, among other criteria, that the defendant is a dangerous offender whose behavior indicates little or no regard for human life, and no hesitation about committing a crime in which the risk to human life is high. Tenn.Code Ann. § 40-35-115(b)(4). However, before ordering the defendant to serve consecutive sentences on the basis that he is a dangerous offender, the trial court must find that the resulting sentence is reasonably related to the severity of the crimes and necessary to protect the public against further criminal conduct. See Imfeld, 70 S.W.3d at 708-09; Wilkerson, 905 S.W.2d at 939. Based on our review of the record, we conclude the trial court's findings parallel the requirements of the statute addressing consecutive sentencing and Wilkerson. See Tenn.Code Ann. § 40-35-115(b)(4); Wilkerson, 905 S.W.2d at 938-39. The trial court imposed consecutive sentencing based on its finding that the defendant was a dangerous offender. It further found the resulting sentence was reasonably related to the severity of the crimes due to the manner in which the victim was beaten and humiliated prior to his death. The trial court also specifically found society needed to be protected from the defendant. The trial court's findings are supported by the record based on the defendant's conduct.