Opinion ID: 1851148
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Burtzlaff's sentence was clearly within statutory limits.

Text: (Issues IXb and X have been combined because both concern sentencing.) When reviewing a sentence, we have held that the lower court must consider, inter alia, the unique circumstances of the case. State v. Lohnes, 432 N.W.2d 77 (S.D.1988). According to the sentence hearing transcript, the trial judge did so and also considered the battered woman syndrome. This is a unique case in the history of South Dakota judicial history. At the sentencing, the trial judge stated: ... I have read every letter that has been written on your behalf. I read the entire presentence report. I have listened to the testimony of your sons twice now ... But after reading the evidence on battered woman syndrome, I was convinced that I needed to supplement the law in South Dakota in order for you to have what I felt would be a fair trial. With a first degree manslaughter conviction, Burtzlaff was subject to a sentence of life in prison. Instead, she received a twenty-year sentence which is clearly within statutory limits. SDCL 22-6-1(3). This does not shock the conscience of men of reason generally and is not disproportionate so as to activate the proportionality tests of Solem v. Helm, 463 U.S. 277, 103 S.Ct. 3001, 77 L.Ed.2d 637 (1983); State v. Bad Heart Bull, 257 N.W.2d 715, 720 (S.D. 1977). We find that the trial judge did consider the unique factors of this case and did not abuse his discretion in sentencing within the maximum statutory punishment. State v. Bonrud, 393 N.W.2d 785 (S.D.1986).