Opinion ID: 1846796
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 12

Heading: whether the sentence rendered by the trial court was so grossly disproportionate and excessive as to warrant reversal?

Text: ¶ 28. Gibson argues that his sentence of a total of fifty (50) years is grossly disproportionate to the crimes for which he was convicted. Sentencing is within the complete discretion of the trial court and not subject to appellate review if it is within the limits prescribed by statute. Hoops v. State, 681 So.2d 521, 537 (Miss.1996). `Further, the general rule in this state is that a sentence cannot be disturbed on appeal so long as it does not exceed the maximum term allowed by statute.' Hoops, 681 So.2d at 538 ( quoting Fleming v. State, 604 So.2d 280, 302 (Miss. 1992)). However, this Court will use the three-pronged analysis as set forth by the United States Supreme Court in Solem v. Helm , but only when a threshold comparison of the crime committed to the sentence imposed leads to an inference of gross disproportionality. Hoops, 681 So.2d at 538. The three factors set out in Solem for courts to consider when conducting a proportionality analysis are: (a) gravity of the offense and the harshness of the penalty; (b) sentences imposed on other criminals in the same jurisdiction; and (c) sentences imposed for the commission of the same crime in different jurisdictions. Solem v. Helm, 463 U.S. 277 at 292, 103 S.Ct. 3001, 77 L.Ed.2d 637 (1983) (overruled in Harmelin v. Michigan, 501 U.S. 957, 965-66, 111 S.Ct. 2680, 115 L.Ed.2d 836 (1991), to the extent that it found a guarantee of proportionality in the Eighth Amendment). Rummel v. Estelle, 445 U.S. 263, 100 S.Ct. 1133, 63 L.Ed.2d 382 (1980), serves as a guide in the determination of this threshold comparison. The defendant in Rummel was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole under a recidivist statute for a third nonviolent felony conviction. Although the total loss from the three crimes was less than $250.00, the United States Supreme Court found Rummel's sentence to be proportionate and not violative of the Eighth Amendment. Id. ¶ 29. In light of Rummel, it cannot be argued that Gibson's sentence was grossly disproportionate to his crime. For crimes classifiable as felonies in which significant terms of imprisonment in the state penitentiary can be given, the length of the sentence actually imposed is purely a matter of legislative prerogative. Hopson v. State, 625 So.2d 395, 404 (Miss. 1993). Therefore, as long as the sentence is within the limits of the statute, the imposition of such sentence is within the sound discretion of the trial court and this Court will not reverse it. On balance, these facts do not lend themselves to a finding that Wall received a sentence grossly disproportionate to his crimes. The punishment for the crime of aggravated assault is no more than twenty (20) years in the penitentiary. The punishment for aggravated assault upon a law enforcement officer is no more than thirty (30) years in the penitentiary. Although Gibson was sentenced to the maximum time on both crimes, it was well within the limits of the statute. Therefore, an extended proportionality review under Solem is not warranted. Giving deference to the trial judge on the imposition of Gibson's sentence, we find that there is no merit to this assignment of error.