Opinion ID: 1250738
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: whether the greatest minimum mandatory sentences should have been imposed and whether the sentences should run consecutively

Text: Finally, defendant argues that the trial court erred in (1) sentencing him to prison for the greatest minimum mandatory sentence allowed by law on each of the convictions, i.e., fifteen years and (2) ordering that the four sentences run consecutively, i.e., for a minimum mandatory sentence of sixty years, rather than concurrently. To sentence a defendant to the greatest minimum mandatory sentence allowed by law, the trial court must set forth findings of fact showing aggravating circumstances with respect to the crime. In the case of child rape and child sodomy, the greatest minimum mandatory sentence is required if there is substantial bodily injury to the child. Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-201(7)(c), provided that [i]f during the commission of a crime described as rape of a child ... [or] sodomy upon a child ... the defendant causes substantial bodily injury to the child... the defendant shall be sentenced to the aggravated mandatory term in state prison. [9] The trial court found that the victim suffered substantial bodily injuries. In addition, the trial court set out additional aggravating factors: the victim's vulnerability due to young age; the commission of multiple crimes; the use of a knife; and defendant's prior history of child sex abuse. On these facts, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in sentencing defendant to the minimum mandatory terms of fifteen years on each count. Defendant also argues that the trial court abused its discretion in making the four sentences run consecutively. Under Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-401, the trial court may order sentences to run consecutively on the basis of the gravity and circumstances of the offenses and the history, character, and rehabilitative needs of the defendant. The trial court found that the offenses were heinous crimes and that Smith was a pedophile. In addition, the court considered defendant's history, character, and rehabilitation possibilities. The court also found that Smith's victimization from abuse as a child was a mitigating factor but that Smith was responsible for his conduct and should have obtained help to cope with his problems. An additional and highly important factor in deciding whether to impose consecutive or concurrent sentences is that the Legislature, in enacting indeterminate sentencing laws, has opted to give the Board of Pardons wide latitude in deciding what a maximum sentence ought to be. State v. Strunk, 846 P.2d 1297, 1301 (Utah 1993). The Board is in a far better position than a court to monitor a defendant's subsequent behavior and possible progress toward rehabilitation while in prison and to adjust the maximum sentence accordingly. In this case, the crimes of aggravated kidnapping, rape, and sodomy each carry maximum sentences of life imprisonment. If the minimum mandatory sentences were to run concurrently, the Board of Pardons could make a reasoned decision as to just how long Smith should be incarcerated beyond the fifteen-year minimum mandatory sentence. However, because the trial court ordered the sentences to run consecutively, the Board has no discretion to release defendant, irrespective of his progress, until sixty years have elapsed, which is tantamount to a minimum mandatory life sentence  a sentence that the Legislature has only permitted for capital murder. Furthermore, although defendant was convicted of four crimes, it is appropriate to observe that all of them arose out of one criminal episode. While the trial court imposed the greatest minimum mandatory sentences possible under the law, and justifiably so, we think it unreasonable and an abuse of discretion to have imposed essentially a minimum mandatory life sentence and thereby deprive the Board of Pardons of discretion to take into account defendant's future conduct and possible progress toward rehabilitation. See Strunk, 846 P.2d at 1302. We do not mean to imply by this ruling that consecutive sentences are never appropriate. Our ruling is limited to the facts of this case. The convictions are affirmed, the sentences are vacated, and the matter is remanded for resentencing. DURHAM, J., concurs in Associate Chief Justice STEWART's opinion.