Opinion ID: 1991873
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: first-degree persistent felony offender charge

Text: Appellant had at least two prior felonies upon which to base a first-degree persistent felony offender conviction. The provisions of KRS 532.080 require two prior felony convictions, and that completion of the sentence of any of the previous convictions had to have been completed within five (5) years of the date of the commission of the felony for which Appellant is being convicted. These provisions were satisfied. Evidence was introduced that Appellant was, at the time of conviction, at least twenty-one (21) years old. Ann Moats, a clerk in the Warren County Courthouse, testified that Appellant had been convicted of five previous felonies. Moats also testified that Appellant was over the age of eighteen (18) when these prior felonies were committed. Appellant's argument that both of the prior felony convictions had to be within five (5) years is refuted by the holding in Howard v. Commonwealth, Ky.App., 608 S.W.2d 62 (1980). In Howard, the Court of Appeals held that the persistent felony offender statute, KRS 532.080, only requires that completion of service of sentence or discharge from probation or parole on any, not each, of the prior convictions shall have occurred within five (5) years of the commission of the instant offense. Id. at 64.