Whigham v. State

Florida District Courts of Appeal
Whigham v. State, 404 So. 2d 858 (1981)
1981 Fla. App. LEXIS 21277
Ervin, Joanos, Wentworth

Whigham v. State

Opinion of the Court

ERVIN, Judge.

Whigham appeals his conviction and sentences on charges of kidnapping and sexual battery. We find no merit to the claim that his second trial, following a mistrial that was brought about by a prosecutor’s comment on the “Golden Rule” in closing argument, should have been barred on double jeopardy grounds. Under the circumstances of this case, the comments did not amount to “grossly negligent or intentional misconduct.” See United States v. Davis, 589 F.2d 904 (5th Cir. 1979).

However, we agree that this cause should be returned to the trial judge for correction of the commitment papers which now state that Whigham “cannot be released without permission of this court.” The order of commitment must conform to Chapter 947, Florida Statutes, as the judge expressed at the sentencing hearing. Jurisdiction of the trial court is limited to the first third of the maximum sentence imposed for the most serious felony. Section 947.16(3).

Accordingly, this cause is remanded to the trial court for proceedings consistent with this opinion.

WENTWORTH and JOANOS, JJ., concur.

Reference

Full Case Name
Thomas James WHIGHAM v. STATE of Florida
Cited By
1 case
Status
Published