State v. Stone

322 S.E.2d 413 (1984)

STATE of North Carolina v. Bobby Lynn STONE.

No. 8311SC1312.

Court of Appeals of North Carolina.

November 20, 1984.

*414 Atty. Gen. Rufus L. Edmisten by Asst. Atty. Gen. James E. Magner, Jr., Raleigh, for the State.

G. Hugh Moore, Jr., Sanford, for defendant-appellant.

JOHNSON, Judge.

Defendant contends he is entitled to a new sentencing hearing because of errors committed by Judge Bailey.

By his first assignment of error, defendant contends the court erred by failing to consider and give weight to uncontradicted evidence of defendant's post-sentence behavior, which evidence defendant contends *415 supports a nonstatutory finding of factors in mitigation.

First, we note that the court did in fact consider the evidence of defendant's post-sentence behavior. When asked by defense counsel, "Is the court going to consider these documents" [of defendant's prison records and school attendance], Judge Bailey stated, "I'm going to consider them ..." As further evidence that the court considered these documents, the court in its findings of fact stated that the evidence constituted nonstatutory factors in mitigation.[1] Accordingly, the contention that the court failed to consider the evidence of defendant's post-sentencing conduct is without merit.

Second, defendant's contention that the court erred in failing to give any weight to these mitigating factors is also without merit. State v. Davis, 58 N.C.App. 330, 293 S.E.2d 658, disc. rev. denied, 306 N.C. 745, 295 S.E.2d 482 (1982) is dispositive of this contention. In Davis, the court stated that

Judges still have discretion to increase or reduce sentences from the presumptive term upon findings of aggravating or mitigating factors, the weighing of which is a matter within their sound discretion.... ... The balance struck by the trial judge will not be disturbed if there is support in the record for his determination. (Emphasis added.)

Id. 306 N.C. at 333-34, 295 S.E.2d at 661.

Judge Bailey's decision in giving little or no weight to the mitigating factors of defendant's post-sentencing behavior finds support in the fact that these are matters to be considered by the Department of Correction in awarding defendant "gain time" and "good time" under its authority granted by G.S. 148-13 and G.S. 15A-1340.7. We find no abuse of discretion and no reason to disturb the balance struck by Judge Bailey that the factors in aggravation outweigh the factors in mitigation. Accordingly, this assignment of error is without merit.

Next, defendant contends that Judge Bailey erred in refusing to give defendant credit for "gain time" or "good time" earned within the Department of Correction between the first and second sentencing hearings. We disagree. Prison rules and regulations respecting rewards and privileges for good conduct are strictly administrative and not judicial. State v. Shoemaker, 273 N.C. 475, 160 S.E.2d 281 (1968).

By his final assignment of error defendant contends the court erred in failing to list aggravating and mitigating factors separately for each crime. We agree and remand for resentencing. We find State v. Ahearn, 307 N.C. 584, 300 S.E.2d 689 (1983) to be controlling on this issue. The trial judge faced a similar issue in Ahearn where two offenses were consolidated for hearing and only one set of mitigating and aggravating factors was found to support a sentence greater than the presumptive term. Our Supreme Court held that each offense "must be treated separately, and separately supported by findings tailored to the individual offense and applicable only to that offense." Id. 307 N.C. at 598, 300 S.E.2d at 698. Here, the trial court sentenced defendant for two felony offenses and failed to treat them individually in making its findings and erred in so doing. See also, State v. Farrow, 66 N.C. App. 147, 310 S.E.2d 418 (1984).

In conclusion, we hold that the trial judge erred in not making separate findings of mitigating and aggravating factors for each offense. This case must be remanded for resentencing pursuant to Ahearn, supra.

Remanded for resentencing.

WHICHARD, J., concurs.

VAUGHN, C.J., dissents.

*416 VAUGHN, Chief Judge, dissenting:

I do not agree that Ahearn requires us to, once more, remand this case for resentencing. I would affirm the judgment.

The majority has found, and correctly so, that there is no error in the Court's findings of aggravating or mitigating factors in either case. The only aggravating factors found are prior convictions for serious crimes and they would be proper aggravating factors in sentencing for any crime. The cases were consolidated for judgment and a single sentence within lawful limit was imposed. In Ahearn, separate sentences were imposed for felonious child abuse and voluntary manslaughter. A single set of aggravating and mitigating factors was found. Some of the findings were improper on the child abuse charge (for example, that the offense was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel) but were appropriate on the voluntary manslaughter charge. The Court found both aggravating and mitigating factors that were inappropriate on either count. In the case before us, however, there is no error in the finding of aggravating or mitigating factors with respect to either of the crimes. We do not, therefore, need the "option of affirming judgment for one offense while remanding for resentencing only the offense in which error is found." Ahearn 307 N.C. at 598, 300 S.E.2d at 698.

NOTES

[1] G.S. 15A-1340.4(a) provides that the trial court may consider any nonstatutory aggravating and mitigating factors supported by evidence not used to prove an essential element, and which are reasonably related to the purpose of sentencing. See also, State v. Teaque, 60 N.C.App. 755, 300 S.E.2d 7 (1983).