Opinion ID: 1827757
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: PEOPLE v STITT

Text: In this case, the defendant argues that he was denied the protections of a trial for perjury when Judge Ransom included among his reasons for the sentence imposed that the defendant lied to the jury. At the sentencing, Judge Ransom stated: The Court: Mr. Stitt, the sentence guidelines which the court is to use as a guide in sentencing provides for a minimum sentence range from zero to twelve months. I'm going to deviate from that sentence guideline and I'm required to state on the record why I'm not going to follow the guidelines and why I'm going to impose the sentence that I'm going to impose. So, I'm compelled to say some things here that I'm sure you're not going to like, but that's my obligation and I'm going to tell it to you as I see it. I'm satisfied that you lied to the jury. I'm satisfied that you have been manipulative in dealing with the pre-sentence investigator. I'm satisfied from the report that the pre-sentence investigator felt also that you lie [sic]. This is an assaultive offense and I'm satisfied that you have no scruples when it comes to your conduct and other peoples' rights. I think you're a threat to the community and for that reason I'm going to impose the maximum sentence that can be imposed here. [Emphasis added.] Defendant's argument is predicated upon his belief that Judge Ransom was punishing him for lying at trial. Review of this excerpt indicates that this is not the case. Judge Ransom listed in support of the sentence given, his belief that the defendant lied, that he was manipulative with the presentence investigator, that his was an assaultive offense, that he had no respect for the rights of others, and that he was a threat to the community. For these reasons a lengthy prison term was selected. [12] We are satisfied that Judge Ransom was not punishing Mr. Stitt for lying. Rather, Mr. Stitt's mendacity while testifying was merely stated as a factor in sentencing which was probative of his attitudes toward society and prospects for rehabilitation.... Grayson, supra, p 50. As in Adams, the record in this instance supports the use of defendant's perjury at sentencing. He testified that he was inside Mounir's grocery store at the time of the theft and that Val Rawls had taken the purse. Further, he claimed that he had assisted Sergeant Richard Lewis in an attempt to locate the missing purse. These claims were completely contradicted by the testimony of Officer Lewis and by the identification of defendant as the perpetrator by the complaining witness Fisher. The defendant freely testified to these facts, and his testimony was obviously material to the issue of his guilt. Judge Ransom indicated that the defendant's false testimony was but one factor he addressed when passing sentence. We find that factor to have been properly considered. The decision of the Court of Appeals is reversed, and the defendant's original sentence is reinstated.