Court Opinion

ID: 9519662
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 01:21:43.038198+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:44:35.641175
License: Public Domain

GIVAN, Chief Justice
— dissenting.
I respectfully dissent from the majority opinion. The majority correctly cites Ind. R.App.Rev.Sent. 2. Then the majority ignores the findings of the trial court, concedes that we do not have the presentence investigation report before us and proceeds to weigh the evidence. The majority concludes, because appellant had no prior record and had been a city fireman, he should have the benefit of a reduced sentence rather than an enhanced sentence.
The majority apparently puts great weight on the fact that neither the victim nor her small child was physically injured other than the rape itself. However, the majority in recitation of the facts correctly notes that appellant approached the victim with a gun which he pointed at her. He threatened bodily harm to her if she did not cooperate. He also threatened bodily harm if she reported the incident to the police. The victim’s seven-year-old daughter was in the automobile at all times during the sexual attacks and appellant instructed the victim to tell her child to get in the back seat and turn her head.
I disagree with the majority in giving credit to appellant for not injuring the victim or her child. Appellant clearly demonstrated to the victim that she certainly would be hurt if she did not cooperate. The fact that the victim had the good sense and was self-sacrificing enough to place herself between appellant and her seven-year-old daughter is a credit to her and is not a fact which should benefit appellant under these circumstances. The trial judge had before him all of the facts including the presentence investigation. He heard the witnesses and saw the demeanor of the appellant. I disagree with usurping his prerogative and impinging his judgment with our fact finding observations.
I would affirm the trial court in all respects.
PIVARNIK, J., concurs.