Opinion ID: 2587760
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Issue Three: Whether reversible error occurred during sentencing.

Text: [¶ 31] Smith asserts that the trial court committed two types of error during his sentencing hearing. Smith claims the trial court used unfounded, unproven, and inaccurate information in the PSI report as well as his failure to admit guilt and express remorse as a basis for the sentences imposed. [¶ 32] At the beginning of the sentencing hearing, the trial court determined Smith had at least over a month a copy of the probation officer's PSI report, which included that officer's opinions and sentencing recommendations. As required by W.R.Cr.P. 32(a)(3)(A) and (C), the trial court asked whether Smith had corrections to make in the report, and Smith's counsel said, Your Honor, I don't believe we have any factual corrections to make. Of course, we will speak to the recommendation made, but there are no factual errors of any significance. Neither the State nor Smith made opening statements. The State called DH as its only witness who testified under both direct and cross-examination about the effects of the crimes committed by Smith against her. In summary, she testified she had been and was still suffering depression and post-traumatic symptoms for which she was receiving counseling and medication. She disclosed that, because of suicidal ideation and emotions of guilt, she had intentionally been cutting herself. She recommended that Smith receive a sentence of forever if I knew it was realistic, but probably 50 years because I don't want anyone else to go through what I went through. And also, there's a fear of  that he might attack me or something of the sort. Smith presented no evidence. [¶ 33] Both the State and Smith's counsel made brief closing arguments. The State's counsel spoke of the continuing nature of those crimes committed against young females, vulnerable family members, the emotional trauma suffered by DH, the crimes' social and emotional impact on the two victims' lives, and the probation officer's recommendation in the PSI report, which included the statement that Smith had not shown remorse and remained adamant of his innocence. Smith's counsel spoke of Smith's maintaining his innocence, challenged the probation officer's conclusion that Smith was a sexual predator, asked the trial court to consider Smith's good record of having had a normal childhood, having attended school and college, having been a volunteer fireman, being the father of two young children, and having no prior convictions. The trial court asked Smith if he had anything to say, and Smith said no. After a forty minute recess, the trial court began its pronouncement of the sentence. [¶ 34] In pronouncing the sentences, the trial court began by listing the counts involving the victim DH; it did not mention Count IV, on which the jury had acquitted Smith. The trial court then identified the count involving RT. Next, referencing DH's sentencing testimony, the trial court said it was no wonder that, at the end of the PSI report, the probation agent wrote: Before the court stands George Keoki Smith found guilty of six sexual offenses and pending sentencing. During the interview Mr. Smith showed no remorse toward the victims nor the extent of the damage and devastating impact he placed on not only the victims but their families as well. Mr. Smith was adamant of his innocence throughout the interview, stating he was set up. However, he was found guilty through a jury trial. After reading that passage from the PSI report, the trial court remarked: Mr. Smith, if you were set up, you were set up by two different persons on incidents that had a spread of some four years, from 1997 to 2001. The jury didn't believe you, obviously. The trial court then continued reading from the PSI report: In the opinion of this agent the [appellant] is a sexual predator. He used his position as an adult in a close family to victimize friends of the family. He knowingly placed himself in situations that did benefit his sexual desires. Due to Mr. Smith's showing no remorse or regret toward the victims or their families, it is recommended that he be sentenced to the Wyoming State Penitentiary for a substantial period of time, as deemed appropriate by the Court, . . . . After noting that the PSI report was ten pages long, the trial court stated: And we consider the testimony of [DH] and her testimony about her fear, her feelings of guilt and blame, feelings so intense that she required treatment in the Wyoming Behavioral Center, where she was diagnosed with depression and posttraumatic stress syndrome. And it still is necessary for her to have ongoing counseling. For how long, we don't know. She even attempted to kill herself because of you, Mr. Smith. The Court has considered and rejected any possibility of probation on these matters. We heard enough from [DH] today to realize the importance and necessity of removing you from society for a long time, not only for the protection of [DH] and [RT], but for the protection as well of other potential future victims. The trial court then declared the sentences.