Opinion ID: 2365304
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Sentencing Arguments

Text: Huerta-Alvarez argues that the mandatory minimum sentences in K.S.A. 2006 Supp. 21-4643 are disproportionate and violate the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution and Section 9 of the Kansas Constitution Bill of Rights. He also argues that the district court erred in denying his motion for departure from the life sentence because there were substantial and compelling reasons to grant it. We have addressed similar arguments in three recent decisions. See State v. Spotts, 288 Kan. 650, 206 P.3d 510 (2009); State v. Thomas, 288 Kan. 157, 199 P.3d 1265 (2009); State v. Ortega-Cadelan, 287 Kan. 157, 194 P.3d 1195 (2008); but see State v. Seward, 289 Kan. 715, 217 P.3d 443 (2009). Because the sentence in this case has been vacated, we need not reach these issues here. Finally, Huerta-Alvarez argues that imposition of the aggravated grid box number, 61 months, for his conviction under Count 2 of the complaint, aggravated indecent liberties not subject to sentencing under K.S.A. 2006 Supp. 21-4643, violates the holding of Apprendi v. New Jersey , because no aggravating circumstances were submitted to or found by a jury. Huerta-Alvarez concedes that this issue has been decided against him in the court's decision in State v. Johnson, 286 Kan. 824, 840-52, 190 P.3d 207 (2008), but includes the issue to preserve it for federal review. There is no reason for us to revisit the issue. We dismiss this claim for lack of jurisdiction. Huerta-Alvarez' convictions are affirmed. The claim regarding sentence for Count 2 of the second amended complaint is dismissed. The sentence on Count 4 of the second amended complaint is vacated, and the case is remanded for resentencing under the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines Act on that count. DAVIS, C.J., not participating. JOHNSON, J., concurring: I concur with the majority's result. Specifically, I agree with vacating Huerta-Alvarez' sentence on Count 4 and remanding for resentencing as a severity level 3 offense, because that is the crime with which he was charged and for which he was convicted by the jury. See State v. Reyna, 290 Kan. 666, 234 P.3d 761 (2010). (JOHNSON, J., dissenting).