Opinion ID: 1958069
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: assignments of error 1 & 2

Text: Defendant assigns as error the imposition by the trial court of an allegedly excessive sentence and the alleged failure of the trial judge to articulate sufficient reasons for such sentence in accordance with the provisions of La.C.Cr.P. Article 894.1. The imposition of a sentence, even though within statutory limits, may violate a defendant's right, under the Louisiana Constitution, against excessive punishment. Therefore, excessiveness of sentence is an appropriate question for review on appeal. See State v. Sepulvado, 367 So.2d 762 (La. 1979). In State v. Bonanno, 384 So.2d 355 (La.1980) we set forth the standard to be used in reviewing a sentence alleged to be excessive. Therein we commented:  As stated previously, to determine whether a certain penalty is excessive we must determine whether that penalty is grossly disproportionate to the severity of the crime. State v. Goode, supra. To determine whether the penalty is grossly disproportionate to the crime we must consider the punishment and the crime in light of the harm to society caused by its commission and determine whether the penalty is so disproportionate to the crime committed as to shock our sense of justice. State v. Beavers, 382 So.2d 943 (La.1980) .  Additionally, in State v. Sepulvado, supra, we concluded that the statutory criteria legislatively provided by La.C.Cr.P. Article 894.1 affords appropriate criteria by which to measure whether a sentence within the statutory limits is nevertheless excessive. [1] Under La.C.Cr.P. Article 894.1, the sentencing judge must state for the record those considerations taken into account in imposing sentence and the factual basis for such considerations. State v. Jackson, 360 So.2d 842 (La.1978). Simply stated, the record must reflect that the trial court adequately considered these criteria in imposing sentence. The instant record indicates that sentence was imposed after a lengthy sentencing hearing during which several character witnesses and the defendant, himself, testified. Although the defendant contends that the trial judge failed to provide sufficient reasons for sentencing, an examination of the record reveals that defendant's allegation is totally without merit. In this case, the trial judge provided an unusually thorough discussion of the factual basis for defendant's sentence. He noted the seriousness of the offense as well as trial testimony indicating that the defendant was additionally suspected of committing the crimes of aggravated kidnapping and armed robbery arising out of the same incident. Further, the trial court noted that defendant acted without strong provocation and noted that there existed no grounds to excuse or justify his behavior. The trial judge considered that the defendant had a prior history of crime as evidenced by his lengthy rap sheet and concluded that if he were placed on probation there existed a distinct probability that he would commit another crime. In support of this conclusion, the trial judge noted that Campbell had previously been placed on probation for a prior offense, yet had not discontinued his criminal activities. Although cognizant of the hardship on defendant's family which will result from his incarceration, the trial judge concluded that the risk of continued criminal activity by Campbell militated against the imposition of a lesser sentence. The trial judge commented that a lesser sentence would surely deprecate the seriousness of Campbell's crime. In State v. Spencer, 374 So.2d 1195 (La. 1979), we stated: ... The trial judge's reasons in imposing sentence, as required by La.Code Crim.P. art. 894.1, are an important aid to this court when called upon to exercise its constitutional function to review a sentence complained of as excessive. State v. Gist, 369 So.2d 1339 (La.1979) ; State v. Sepulvado, 367 So.2d 762 (La.1979) . Moreover, the trial judge is given a wide discretion in the imposition of sentences within statutory limits, and the sentence imposed by him should not be set aside as excessive in the absence of a manifest abuse of his discretion. State v. Sepulvado, supra .  Our careful review of the record in light of the standards set forth above reveals no abuse of the trial court's discretion. The defendant had originally been indicted for the crime of second degree murder which carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. After four days of trial, the defendant, fearing conviction on the murder charge, changed his guilty plea to one of guilty of manslaughter with no sentence limitations or recommendations imposed upon the trial court. [2] As we have repeatedly stated, the trial judge exercised all due diligence in specifically delineating his reasons for imposing a twenty year sentence on defendant. The record clearly supports the trial court's conclusions regarding the defendant, therefore, we conclude that the sentence imposed is both reasonable and just.