Court Opinion

ID: 9665890
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 00:59:00.06594+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:15:20.139957
License: Public Domain

Donald L. Corbin, Justice, dissenting. I disagree with the majority's conclusion that the trial judge's remarks in this case are indistinguishable from those made by the judges in Acklin v. State, 270 Ark. 879, 606 S.W.2d 594 (1980), and Wing v. State, 286 Ark. 494, 696 S.W.2d 311 (1985). In Acklin, the judge made the following statement in response to defense counsel’s request that the sentences run concurrently, because the appellant had five children to support: I’m mindful of that, Mr. Holder. And I’m also mindful that ... he has not been in trouble with the law since 1967. However, I am also mindful that [the appellant] has had no defense to this case and has put the county to substantial expense to try this without a defense which he is entitled to. It’s my feeling about it that if you want to see the hole card and go to a jury to see what they will do, then you ought to be willing to run the risk. There’s no defense to this case. There has not been one presented, and it’s been an exercise that [the appellant] elected to see what would happen, I guess. . . . It’s expensive to see and to look and to try the system. So it’s my judgment that he should not be entitled to consideration. He is not being penalized for exercising his right [to a jury trial]. The truth of the matter is that he had no defense to this case. . . . He could [not would, as the State argues] have gotten the same judgment, the same sentence, the same due process, had he come in here and told the Court that he was guilty. I am reminded of Judge J. Smith Henley in federal court, where the federal courts do all the sentencing, and all the guilt or innocence is determined by the jury. “If you’ve got a legitimate defense, come over here and argue it. It won’t cost you anything. But if you come over here and waste my time, the jury’s time and the taxpayer’s money, it may very well cost you something.” I’m not saying that’s what I’m doing. It’s my customary rule to run consecutive sentences imposed by jurors, not because it’s an expense to the county and not because someone elects to do that; it’s just my judgment in the matter that generally that’s what the jury intends to do. Id. at 880-81, 606 S.W.2d at 595 (emphasis added). It is clear from these remarks that the trial judge did not exercise any discretion in running the sentences consecutively. He plainly stated that he had adopted a “customary rule” to impose multiple sentences consecutively in every case. Obviously, there can be' no discretion where there is such a mechanical rule. Moreover, despite his denial to the contrary, the judge’s remarks demonstrated the very real possibility that he imposed consecutive sentences as a way of further punishing the defendant for wasting the court’s time by seeking a jury trial when he had no valid defense. Accordingly, this court had no choice but to remand for resentencing in that case. Similarly, in Wing, 286 Ark. 494, 696 S.W.2d 311, this court remanded for resentencing because the trial judge’s remarks demonstrated that he had not exercised any discretion in ordering the sentences to run consecutively. There, Judge Gibson explained: [M] y practice has been, if it is left to me in the first instance, I try to use my own judgment both as to guilt or innocence, and also as to punishment. . . . But when a case is submitted ... to a jury, then I think they have the right and the prerogative ... to view the case in the manner in which they see it. Now, I feel it is somewhat presumptuous for me to interfere with their judgment as long as it is within the guidelines of the law. I think I have no choice . . . but to accept their verdict . . . and direct they run consecutively. Id. at 496, 696 S.W.2d at 312 (emphasis added). See also Wing v. State, 14 Ark. App. 190, 686 S.W.2d 452 (1985) (similar comments from the same Judge Gibson). Again, as with the judge in Acklin, Judge Gibson’s statements reflect an admitted “practice” of imposing whatever sentence is recommended by the jury and a refusal to “interfere with their judgment.” Such a practice negates the use of any discretion. Here, in contrast, the trial judge’s comments indicate only that, as of the date of Appellant’s case, the judge had not awarded an alternative sentence of probation where the jury had recommended imprisonment. His exact statement was: “had the jury recommended that, I probably would, but I have not gone against a jury yet and I don’t think this would be the appropriate time to start.” His use of the word “yet” is telling. It indicates that the judge is aware of his discretionary authority and that he would be willing to go against the jury’s recommendation in appropriate cases. Moreover, his statement is merely one of fact as to what action he has taken in past cases. Unlike the judges in Acklin and Wing, the trial judge here did not announce a “customary rule” or a “practice” that he mechanically applies in every case. Additionally, the fact that the judge followed his initial statement with “I don’t think this would be the appropriate time to start” demonstrates an exercise of discretion. (Emphasis added.) This statement is reflective of the judge’s conclusion that the facts and circumstances of Appellant’s case did not warrant a departure from the jury’s recommended sentence. Perhaps even more significant is the judge’s use of the word “probably”: “had the jury recommended [probation], I probably would.” (Emphasis added.) This indicates to me that even if the jury had recommended probation, the judge would not have automatically accepted that sentence. In other words, he did not think probation was an appropriate sentence for the violent crime committed by Appellant, even if the jury had recommended an alternative sentence. I would affirm the sentence in this case, as I cannot say that it is apparent from the judge’s remarks that he failed to exercise any discretion in sentencing Appellant. See Teague v. State, 328 Ark. 724, 946 S.W.2d 670 (1997); Durham v. State, 320 Ark. 689, 899 S.W.2d 470 (1995); Brown v. State, 316 Ark. 724, 875 S.W.2d 828 (1994) (collectively holding that this court will remand for resentencing when it is apparent that the trial court did not exercise its discretion). The fact that the remarks in this case are susceptible to more than one interpretation negates the conclusion that it is apparent that the judge failed to use his discretion. Moreover, I cannot ignore the fact that the judge in this case is a seasoned one, with many years of experience on the bench. The sentence imposed was not in any way illegal, nor was it imposed mechanically or out of a desire for retribution, as was the case in Acklin, 270 Ark. 879, 606 S.W.2d 594, and, to a lesser extent, Wing, 286 Ark. 494, 696 S.W.2d 311. Remand in this case is a waste of precious judicial resources, as it is clear to me that the sentence already imposed was based on the judge’s discretionary authority. In sum, because it is not apparent that the trial judge failed to use any discretion in sentencing Appellant, we must give him the benefit of the doubt and affirm the sentence. Accordingly, I must dissent.* Additionally, I disagree with the way in which the majority has addressed the procedural argument raised by the State. In rejecting the State’s argument, the majority relies on the case of Smallwood v. State, 326 Ark. 813, 935 S.W.2d 530 (1996), wherein this court held that because the defendant made a motion for concurrent sentences and the motion was denied, no further objection was needed to preserve an argument on appeal that the trial court had failed to exercise its discretion. Under this holding, Appellant’s objection is sufficient. However, the majority ignores the case of Brown v. State, 326 Ark. 56, 931 S.W.2d 80 (1996). There, the defendant objected to consecutive sentences on the ground that they amounted to cruel and unusual punishment. On appeal, however, he contended that the consecutive sentences were erroneous because the trial court had failed to use any discretion in imposing them. This court declined to reach the argument on appeal because it was not made below. This court reasoned that “the alleged error should have been called to the attention of the trial court by timely objection or inquiry so that the trial court could be given the opportunity to correct the error.” Id. at 60, 931 S.W.2d at 83. Under this holding, Appellant’s argument appears to be procedurally barred because he failed to point out the specific error in the trial judge’s ruling. In my opinion, this conflict needs to be resolved for future cases. Imber and Hannah, JJ., join in this dissent.