Opinion ID: 852730
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Williams' Behavior Once Drugs Were Found

Text: A trial court may only enhance a sentence based on those facts that are established in one of several ways: 1) as a fact of prior conviction; 2) by a jury beyond a reasonable doubt; 3) when admitted by a defendant; and 4) in the course of a guilty plea where the defendant has waived Apprendi rights and stipulated to certain facts or consented to judicial factfinding. Trusley v. State, 829 N.E.2d 923, 925 (Ind.2005). In the instant case, Officer Torres testified that Williams led officers on a chase where speeds reached 45 to 50 miles per hour, several traffic signals were ignored, and Williams almost caused a couple of accidents. (Tr. at 58.) Citing this testimony, the trial court found that [Williams'] blatant disregard for the safety of the citizens of this county must be considered as an aggravating circumstance. (Tr. at 257-58.) Since a finding of blatant disregard is a judicial statement, to be a proper aggravator, it must rest on some permissible fact. None of the facts cited are permissible under Trusley. [3]