Opinion ID: 2445057
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: end of proceedings

Text: The docket sheet entries for the hearing reflect: 1/14/80 Defendant admits violation. Revocation to run concurrent with sentence in Ark.Fed.Ct. (Emphasis added.) Only one conclusion can be drawn and that is the trial court revoked the suspension. The court could only suspend imposition of sentence so obviously the imposition of sentence was revoked. When that occurred an appropriate sentence could be imposed. Ark.Stat.Ann. § 41-1208(6) (Repl.1977); See also Commentary thereto. While the term imposed is not precisely set out, we interpret the proceedings as imposing a sentence concurrent with the federal sentence which was for one year commencing January 23, 1980. Then, on February 24, 1981, more than one year later and after appellant had been released from federal custody, the prosecuting attorney filed a pleading styled Petition to Revoke Probated Sentence and an Amended Petition to Revoke Probated Sentence. Both petitions refer to the original judgment for theft by receiving. The petitions were heard on February 25, 1982, and the trial court entered a judgment and order of commitment which provides: That on a former day to-wit: May 31, 1978 Defendant entered his plea of Guilty to the crime of Theft By Receiving and his punishment was fixed at a General Sentence of Five (5) Years in the Arkansas Department of Correction, said sentence to be suspended during good behavior, fine of $500.00 and cost, Now on this 25th day of February, 1982 it is found by the Court that said Defendant has violated the conditions of his Suspended Sentence and is hereby ordered committed to the Arkansas Department of Correction for a period of Five (5) Years. Defendant has been incarcerated in Miller County since January 27, 1982. Appellant contends the sentence is void. The contention is meritorious. This was the second sentence for the crime of theft by receiving committed January 23, 1978. A second sentence cannot be imposed at a subsequent revocation hearing. Easley v. State, 274 Ark. 215, 623 S.W.2d 189 (1981). In addition, the trial court did not have jurisdiction by the time it pronounced the second sentence for, by then, the first sentence had already been put into execution. Once a valid sentence is put into execution the trial court is without jurisdiction to modify, amend or revise it. Shipman v. State, 261 Ark. 559, 550 S.W.2d 424 (1977). The increased punishment at a second sentencing is void for yet another reason. As Justice Douglas stated in discussing double jeopardy, A person need run the gauntlet only once. North Carolina v. Pearce, 395 U.S. 711, 89 S.Ct. 2072, 23 L.Ed.2d 656 (1969). Reversed.