Opinion ID: 6109867
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Breeden's Bases for the Writ

Text: Breeden was charged under Arkansas Code Annotated section 5-14-103 (Supp. 2011), which provides that rape is a Class Y felony. The statutory sentencing range for a Class Y felony is not less than ten years and not more than forty years, or life. Ark. Code Ann. § 5-4-401 (a)(1) (Repl. 2013). Breeden's sentence fell within that range. Breeden's Eighth Amendment argument is that his sentence was excessive as a  matter of law, mainly because he was a first-time offender. This is developed poorly, but the crux of it appears to be that a sentence of life without parole for a first offender in a noncapital case is unconstitutionally excessive. Breeden cites no authority to support this position. As noted above, the sentencing range for rape does not carry a mandatory sentence of life without parole, and the jury that convicted Breeden was allowed to consider imposing a lesser sentence. Breeden's petition made no claim that was legitimate or may reasonably have been asserted given the facts presented and the current law or a reasonable and logical extension or modification of it. Breeden's underlying petition clearly fails to state a colorable cause of action because it does not state sufficient nonconclusory facts to support cognizable claims. Accordingly, we affirm the circuit court's denial of Breeden's in forma pauperis petition. Affirmed.