Opinion ID: 2541196
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: error in sentencing appellant for first-degree sodomy as a class a, rather than class b, felony

Text: Appellant argues that he was improperly sentenced under the Class A felony guidelines for his sodomy convictions, because the jury convicted him of only a Class B felony. During discussion of the penalty phase instructions, defense counsel objected to the instructions regarding the first-degree sodomy convictions, because they provided the jury the Class A (20 to 50 years, or life), rather than the Class B (10 to 20 years) range. Defense counsel argued that because Appellant had not been found guilty of sodomy of a person under twelve (a Class A felony), but rather sodomy under forcible compulsion (a Class B felony), the Class B sentencing range applied. The trial court overruled the objection, and the jury ultimately sentenced Appellant to life for each of the sodomy convictions. On appeal, Appellant argues that the sentence was improper. We agree. KRS 510.070 provides as follows: (1) A person is guilty of sodomy in the first degree when: (a) He engages in deviate sexual intercourse with another person by forcible compulsion; or (b) He engages in deviate sexual intercourse with another person who is incapable of consent because he: 1. Is physically helpless; or 2. Is less than twelve (12) years old. (2) Sodomy in the first degree is a Class B felony unless the victim is under twelve (12) years old or receives a serious physical injury in which case it is a Class A felony. The guilt phase instructions as to the sodomy charges read as follows: INSTRUCTION NO. 1 FIRST-DEGREE SODOMY You will find the Defendant Daniel Keith Newman guilty of First-Degree Sodomy, under this instruction, if, and only if, you believe from the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt all of the following: A. That in this county on or about the 14th day of May, 2009, and before the finding of the Indictment herein, he engaged in deviate sexual intercourse by making oral contact with the penis of [B.C.]; AND B. That he did so by forcible compulsion; OR, C. That at the time of such intercourse, [B.C.] was less than twelve (12) years of age.