Opinion ID: 1907550
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Whether the sentence imposed by the court was excessive.

Text: ¶ 16. Willis's final contention is that the twenty (20) year sentence he received for the crime of robbery is excessive. By statute, a person who commits robbery in Mississippi can be sentenced to a maximum of life imprisonment and a minimum of three years. Miss.Code Ann. § 97-3-79 (Rev.2000). Willis's sentence does fall within the range allowed by statute. When a sentence falls within a range permitted by statute then it will not be disturbed on appeal. Corley v. State, 536 So.2d 1314, 1319 (Miss.1988); Hoops v. State, 681 So.2d 521, 538 (Miss.1996); McCline v. State, 856 So.2d 556, 560 (Miss.Ct.App.2003). The only exception for this is if there is proof of gross disproportionality. Id. Willis argues that his sentence is disproportionate to the crime for which he was convicted. ¶ 17. The United States Supreme Court has set out factors in determining whether a sentence is disproportionate: (1) the gravity of the offense and the harshness of the penalty; (2) the sentences imposed on other criminals in the same jurisdiction; and (3) the sentences imposed for commission of the same crime in other jurisdictions. Solem v. Helm, 463 U.S. 277, 292-94, 103 S.Ct. 3001, 77 L.Ed.2d 637 (1983). ¶ 18. As stated in Solem, the United States Supreme Court requires that all three factors must be presented by a defendant when determining the disproportionality of a sentence. Upon a careful reading of Willis's brief, we conclude that Willis did not address the third prong of the Solem inquiry (the sentences imposed for commission of the same offense in other jurisdictions). This failure to address all the Solem factors bars Willis's claim on appeal.