Opinion ID: 2632770
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Court of Appeals erroneously instructed the trial court regarding the enhancement of Defendant's sentence

Text: {21} The trial court enhanced defendant's sentence by one-third. Defendant appealed, claiming that the trial court's decision was not supported by sufficient evidence. The Court of Appeals did not rule on the sentencing issue, but instructed the trial court that sentences may not be increased on the basis of aggravating circumstances unless those circumstances are found by the jury beyond a reasonable doubt, based on State v. Frawley, 2005-NMCA-017, 137 N.M. 18, 106 P.3d 580. This Court overruled Frawley in State v. Lopez, 2005-NMSC-036, 138 N.M. 521, 123 P.3d 754. Thus, Lopez is controlling on the issue of sentence enhancement. Because we affirm Defendant's convictions, the Court of Appeals must address the issue of whether there was sufficient evidence to support the trial court's enhancement of Defendant's sentence.