Opinion ID: 852836
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: introduction

Text: In this appeal and several similar cases, the defendants challenge the constitutionality of their sentences under Blakely v. Washington, 542 U.S. 296, 124 S.Ct. 2531, 159 L.Ed.2d 403 (2004). The U.S. Supreme Court's latest word on the constitutionality of sentencing schemes is just eight weeks old. United States v. Booker, ___ U.S. ___, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005). Attempting to take account of both Blakely and Booker, we hold today that portions of Indiana's sentencing scheme violate the Sixth Amendment's right to trial by jury, and that the new rule of Blakely should apply to all cases pending on direct review at the time Blakely was announced in which the appellant has adequately preserved appellate review of the sentence.