State v. Garza
Annotate this CaseDefendant was convicted of first-degree arson and first-degree felony murder for intentionally setting fire to an occupied structure, resulting in the death of an unidentified victim in the fire. Defendant was sentenced to concurrent life sentences without parole for each conviction. Defendant filed a motion to correct an illegal sentence, claiming that the concurrent sentences violated the constitutional prohibition against double jeopardy. The circuit court denied Defendant’s motion. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that the Legislature intended to authorize cumulative punishment for violations of felony murder and the underlying felony of arson, and therefore, the circuit court was authorized by the Legislature to impose concurrent sentences for both crimes.
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