Opinion ID: 901527
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Validity of Williams' Sentence under the Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Text: [¶ 12.] Williams alleges that his sentence is grossly disproportionate to the conduct for which he was convicted and therefore constitutes cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution, applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment, prohibits the infliction of cruel and unusual punishments. U.S. Const. amend. VIII. When assessing a proportionality challenge, we must first determine whether the sentence appears grossly disproportionate. State v. Guthmiller, 2003 SD 83, ¶ 43, 667 N.W.2d 295, 309. Our standard of review for such challenges is well established: [To] assess a challenge to proportionality we first determine whether the sentence appears grossly disproportionate. To accomplish this, we consider the conduct involved, and any relevant past conduct, with utmost deference to the Legislature and the sentencing court. [ State v. Pugh, 2002 SD 16, 19, 640 N.W.2d 79, 85] (citing State v. Bonner, 1998 SD 30, ¶ 17, 577 N.W.2d 575, 580). If the sentence does not appear grossly disproportionate, no further review is necessary. State v. Hinger, 1999 SD 91, ¶ 16, 600 N.W.2d 542, 547. If the sentence does appear grossly disproportionate, an intra- and inter-jurisdictional analysis shall be conducted. Id. We also consider the gravity of the offense and the harshness of the penalty; Solem v. Helm, 463 U.S. 277, 292 103 S.Ct. 3001, 3011, 77 L.Ed.2d 637 (1983); and other relevant factors, such as the effect this type of offense has on society. Hinger, 1999 SD 91, 16, 600 N.W.2d at 547. Id. [2] [¶ 13.] Applying this standard, we must first consider Williams' conduct. Williams was convicted on three counts of grand theft by deception, each of which is a Class 4 felony punishable by up to ten years in the state penitentiary and a $10,000 fine. Two of Williams' charges were based on his victimization of fellow members of the deaf community. Williams, in part, used their common disability to gain their confidence and trust and to entice them into giving him their cash and property. He continually denied the requests of all the victims for accountings, and he assured them that proof of their investments would be forthcoming. Even on the day of his sentencing, Williams failed to account for the victims' property. As a result, Crago lost approximately $69,000, the Brimmers lost approximately $107,000, and Heck lost approximately $14,000. [¶ 14.] Although Williams had no similar prior offenses, his conduct here involved three offenses and three victims and was part of a pattern of deception. There was no evidence that Williams ever intended to invest the property or repay the victims. Further, Williams never disclosed what he did with the property, nor did he accept responsibility for his conduct. [¶ 15.] The trial court imposed consecutive sentences of ten years with three years suspended for each of the three felony convictions. Additionally, the court required Williams to pay restitution as part of the conditions of parole. The sentence is within the maximum sentence of ten years in the state penitentiary set by the Legislature. Additionally, depending upon his behavior in prison and on parole, he could actually serve less than the ten years because the trial court suspended three years on each sentence. Thus, based upon our standard of review, the nature of the conduct involved in the crimes, and the appropriate deference given the Legislature and the sentencing court, we cannot say that the sentence appears grossly disproportionate. Cf., State v. Pasek, 2004 SD 132, ¶ 37, 691 N.W.2d 301, 313 (affirming a life sentence for first-degree robbery under the habitual offender enhancement); State v. Bonner, 1998 SD 30, ¶ 23, 577 N.W.2d 575, 581-82 (finding that a maximum sentence of fifteen years for the second degree burglary conviction of a developmentally disabled defendant was disproportionate where his accomplices received probation); State v. O'Connor, 408 N.W.2d 754, 756 (S.D.1987) (finding proportional three concurrent fifty-year sentences and a fine of $25,000 for convictions for conspiracy to commit grand theft, conspiracy to commit third degree burglary, and grand theft where the offenses involved approximately $250,000). Since the first prong of the proportionality review has not been met, we need not proceed any further in our analysis. [¶ 16.] Affirmed. [¶ 17.] GILBERTSON, Chief Justice, and SABERS, KONENKAMP, and ZINTER, Justices, concur.