Opinion ID: 2183291
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Corrieri's Sentence

Text: Corrieri was adjudged guilty of burglary while armed with a firearm, robbery, and criminal threatening with the use of a dangerous weapon. The court imposed a sentence of twenty years, with all but twelve years suspended, and six years probation on both the burglary and robbery charges, and a sentence of three years on the criminal threatening with the use of a dangerous weapon charge. The sentences to be served concurrently. We review the sentences for misapplication of principle, scrutinizing the suspended portions of the sentences as well as that portion of the final sentence that is unsuspended. State v. Cloutier, 646 A.2d 358, 361 (Me.1994). The sentencing court in this case did not have the benefit of our teachings in State v. Hewey wherein we outlined the determinations that must be made by the sentencing court. State v. Hewey, 622 A.2d 1151, 1154-55 (Me.1993). As we said in Cloutier, 646 A.2d at 361: As to each offense, the court must first determine the basic period of incarceration based solely on the nature and seriousness of the offense. [citation omitted] After deciding on the basic period of incarceration, the court should determine the maximum period of incarceration. [citation omitted] Finally, the court must consider whether to suspend all or a portion of the maximum period of incarceration and require a defendant to serve a period of time on probation. [citation omitted] In determining the maximum period of incarceration and the final sentence, all of the aggravating and mitigating circumstances peculiar to the defendant, including the need to protect the public, should be considered by the court. [citation omitted] Thus, the sentencing court is first directed to look to the nature and seriousness of the offense in order to determine the basic period of incarceration. Corrieri was found guilty of breaking into a private, occupied residence at night with a loaded weapon in the company of two other intruders. This is certainly a most grievous manner in which one could commit a burglary while armed. Although it is true that no one was shot or physically hurt in the incident, the absence of these additional criminal acts attendant to this armed entry into a private residence does not lower the placement of that armed entry on its own scale of seriousness. We therefore cannot say that it would have been a misapplication of principle had the sentencing court set as a basic sentence the maximum sentence applicable to this Class A crime. Once having determined the basic period of incarceration, the sentencing court must then determine the maximum period of incarceration and the final sentence considering the aggravating and mitigating circumstances peculiar to the offender. We review the trial court's action for abuse of discretion. Contrary to Corrieri's argument on appeal, the trial court did consider the disparity between the sentence imposed on Corrieri and the sentences imposed on his co-defendants. A sentencing court is required to eliminate inequalities in sentences that are unrelated to legitimate criminological goals. 17-A M.R.S.A. § 1151(5). The trial court discussed several aspects of criminal behavior and the criminal process in explaining its sentencing decision. The court noted that the co-defendants accepted responsibility for their criminal acts by their pleas of guilty and their cooperation with the prosecution. The trial court concluded that the conduct of Corrieri at trial, including the rendition of a fanciful story of duress, indicated a complete lack of remorse and a refusal to acknowledge responsibility for a serious criminal act. [5] This lack of remorse was particularly troubling to the trial court because Corrieri's record included a juvenile conviction similar to the present offense in which, as the prosecution told the court at sentencing, Corrieri entered a home with two co-defendants, tied up the resident, threatened him with a knife, and stole some money. The trial court saw in this history and Corrieri's conduct at trial a justification for differential treatment between Corrieri and the co-defendants: I think you need a fairly long time of incarceration to emphasize to you the seriousness of the events, emphasize your need to accept responsibility to comply with society's rules as opposed to trying to talk your way out of it or justify your way out of it without remorse or responsibility which has been done here. I think that's necessary for both your situation to deal with what seems to be a serious lack of responsibility on your part and it protects society. This rationale includes a legitimate criminological basis for sentencing Corrieri more harshly than the co-defendants. Although the trial court did not go through the formal steps set forth in State v. Hewey , a close review of the rationale offered by the trial court for its decision indicates that all of the considerations required by Hewey were evaluated: the circumstances of the offense, the aggravating and mitigating circumstances relating to the offender, and the justification for suspending a portion of the sentence. The entry is: Judgments of convictions and the sentences imposed thereon affirmed. All concurring.