Court Opinion

ID: 9737255
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 19:20:05.204689+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:23:57.633995
License: Public Domain

PIVARNIK, Justice,
concurring and dissenting.
I concur in this opinion with the exception of the finding by the majority that the court did not sufficiently set out aggravating circumstances in enhancing Appellant's sentences and finding that the terms be consecutive. It is true the elements of robbery include the taking of property from another by putting the victim in fear. In this case, a pistol was used and that was the basis of Appellant's conviction for robbery. There was an added element here, however, that the court noted in his findings. Appellant told the victim he was going to kill her or take her with him as a hostage. He did neither of these things, of course, and finally ordered her into another room. She stated she was frightened because of his threats to take her life. The trial judge noted this and also noted that in Appellant's past record were convictions in 1984 of recklessness with injury and violation of the Firearms Act. Thus, the trial court did find particular and peculiar facts in this case that warranted enhancement und the giving of consecutive sentences, those being Appellant's demonstration not only to use a hand gun to induce people to give him their property, but his going beyond that point and possibly injuring the victims or, as in this case, threatening to kill them. The trial court, therefore, found a particularized individual circumstance that constituted a separate aggravating circumstance. I think he was justified in so doing and would find his reasons given were adequate, I therefore would affirm the judgment of the trial court.
GIVAN, C.J., concurs.