Court Opinion

ID: 9589390
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 23:44:00.462328+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:01:01.841838
License: Public Domain

Judge WELLS
dissenting.
The reasoning of the majority is to the effect that although we have found that some of the factors in aggravation found by the trial court were not supported by the evidence, defendant must affirmatively show that had the trial court not so erred, a different result would have been reached “in the court’s balancing *52process.” I must respectfully disagree. I am persuaded that upon our finding that the trial court found even one factor in. aggravation not supported by the evidence, the presumption must follow that such a finding by the trial court resulted in a sentence more severe than otherwise would have been entered. I am not persuaded that any sentence in excess of the presumptive sentence prescribed by the statute can be fair if it is founded in or motivated by an erroneous impression of aggravating factors. Correct balancing of mitigating factors and aggravating factors can only take place when the trial court has found the correct factors: i.e., those supported by the evidence.
In my opinion, this matter should be remanded for a new hearing to determine an appropriate sentence.