State v. Lloyd, Unpublished Decision (6-23-2006)
State v. Lloyd, Unpublished Decision (6-23-2006)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} Lloyd asserts four (4) assignments of error:
{¶ 3} "[1.] The trial court erred to the prejudice of the Appellant when it sentenced him to prison which sentence is contrary to law.
{¶ 4} "[2.] The trial court violated the Appellant's rights to equal protection and due process of law under the
{¶ 5} "[3.] The trial court erred to the prejudice of the Appellant when it sentenced him to more than the minimum prison term which sentence is contrary to law.
{¶ 6} "[4.] The trial court erred when it sentenced the Defendant-Appellant to prison instead of community control and in sentencing him to more than the minimum prison term based upon a finding of factors not found by the jury or admitted by the Defendant-Appellant in violation of the Defendant-Appellant's state and federal constitutional rights to trial by jury."
{¶ 7} It is necessary to comment on the nature of Lloyd's sentence prior to reaching any discussion on his assignments of error as the very nature of the sentence is dispositive of Lloyd's appeal. The trial court relied on Ohio Revised Code Section
{¶ 8} In Foster, the Supreme Court held that R.C.
{¶ 9} After the severance of the applicable statutes, the trial court is entrusted with full discretion in meting out sentences. While this case was pending on direct review, the decision in Foster was released. As a result, Lloyd's sentence is void, must be vacated and remanded for resentencing. Foster at ¶ 103-104. Upon remand, the trial court is no longer required to make findings or give its reasons for imposing the maximum sentence or more than the minimum sentence. Id. at paragraph seven of the syllabus. "Courts shall consider those portions of the sentencing code that are unaffected by today's decision and impose any sentence within the appropriate felony range." Id. at ¶ 105. The discretion is left to the trial court. "While the defendants may argue for reductions in their sentences, nothing prevents the state from seeking greater penalties." Id. at ¶ 105.
{¶ 10} Due to the fact that Lloyd's third and fourth Assignments of Error each invoke an analysis of those portions of R.C.
{¶ 11} Lloyd's remaining assignments of error pertain solely to sentencing and therefore are moot since this matter must be remanded for re-sentencing pursuant to Foster.
{¶ 12} In light of Foster, the judgment of the Lake County Court of Common Pleas is reversed. This case is remanded for proceedings to resentence consistent with this opinion pursuant to Foster.
William M. O'Neill, J., Colleen M. O'Toole, J., concur.
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