Court Opinion

ID: 9546642
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 17:33:20.189473+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:16:42.579580
License: Public Domain

BRETT, Judge
(specially concurring):
I must agree that the thrust of North Carolina v. Pearce, supra, pertains to a sentence imposed by the trial judge; and, that under particular circumstances a second trial may result in a greater sentence, if the trial judge’s reasons for such increase affirmatively appear in the record. However, I fail to see the need for that portion of this decision which states, “Torbett, ' supra, is expressly overruled.” The Torbett case merely states, “ * * * the court should not on the second trial impose a greater punishment than was assessed at the first trial.” This principle is consistent with the rules of fundamental fairness, as expressed by the United States Supreme Court. Likewise, I fail to see the justification for the increase in this defendant’s sentence. Therefore, while I agree that the record appears to sustain this conviction, I would modify the sentence at least to that received on defendant’s first trial.