Court Opinion

ID: 9699137
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 20:11:25.82126+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:20:46.779390
License: Public Domain

Riley, C.J.
(concurring). I am in agreement with the lead opinion that, in exceeding the sentencing guidelines, the trial court did not rely upon the defendant’s "assertion of innocence” or lack of remorse for the offense of which he was convicted. Rather, as indicated in the lead opinion, the trial court relied upon the information contained in the *728presentence report and the defendant’s failure to object to the use of that information for imposing the admittedly harsh sentence in this case. In light of the above, it is unnecessary to decide whether the lack of remorse, inferred from the defendant’s refusal to admit guilt of the crime of which he was convicted, may properly have been relied upon to increase the defendant’s sentence.
The defendant’s proclivity toward rehabilitation was an appropriate factor to be considered by the sentencing court. Whether the defendant’s failure to express remorse while refusing to admit guilt of the offense of which he was convicted may properly be viewed as a factor negating his potential for reformation is a question that need not be decided in the case at bar. I would hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in relying upon the information in the presentence report to increase the defendant’s sentence on the basis of his potential for rehabilitation. Thus, I concur in the decision to affirm.