Opinion ID: 2086451
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Claims Relating to the Trial Judge's Reliance Upon Defendant's Drug Use in the Sentencing Phase

Text: Defendant claims that the trial judge's reliance on allegedly incorrect information about his drug use in the presentence investigative report violated his fifth amendment right against compelled self-incrimination and sixth amendment right to counsel. Defendant claims that he requested the presence of counsel at his presentence interview, but that this request was ignored by the presentence investigator. At the aggravation and mitigation stage of the sentencing hearing, the trial judge noted that the defendant had abused drugs, stating: THE COURT: You talk about your wife being on drugs. Oh, she is a terrible person, she was on drugs. You married her in about 1967 I believe. What were you? You were on drugs also. In 1974 after you were in the penitentiary you were receiving drug treatments. You were on drugs and she was on drugs and you are both rotten parents. Defendant subsequently told the trial judge that the presentence investigative report, which indicated that defendant used speed, cocaine, heroin, PCP and amphetamines, was incorrect. We do not agree with defendant that the trial judge's reliance on the allegedly incorrect statements concerning defendant's drug use in the presentence investigative report was constitutionally significant. The defendant denied the accuracy of the report. Further, the trial judge's isolated comments on this matter were in response to defendant's continued assertion that he was a good father. In this regard, the trial judge observed that he had been in prison for most of his children's lives.