Court Opinion

ID: 9729341
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 14:32:31.146654+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:25:57.097152
License: Public Domain

JUSTICE MYERSCOUGH, specially concurring: I agree with the majority but find the age of the victim is an appropriate sentencing factor. It is not an element of the crime, nor does it involve mens rea. Additionally, there was no credibility issue concerning the age of the victim. The victim was 93 years old as she . testified, as was agreed, and as was found by the trial judge. Moreover, defendant did not object to this evidence or the trial court’s consideration of age as a sentencing factor. What rationale could there be for the legislature to allow the court to extend the term for a prior conviction, but not for uncontested facts such as the age of the victim?