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Date: 01-10-2019
Case Style:
WILLIE PERRY vs STATE OF FLORIDA
Case Number: 18-0460
Judge: Jeffrey T. Kuntz
Court: DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA FOURTH DISTRICT
Plaintiff's Attorney: Ashley Brooke Moody, Attorney General, Tallahassee, and Luke R. Napodano, Assistant Attorney General
Defendant's Attorney: Carey Haughwout, Public Defender, and Paul Edward Petillo, Assistant Public Defender
Description:
In 2013, the circuit court ordered a third sentencing hearing pursuant to Graham v. Florida, 560 U.S. 48 (2010).1 After a non-evidentiary hearing,
1 We issued written opinions regarding Perry’s conviction on two prior occasions. See Perry v. State, 973 So. 2d 1289, 1290 (Fla. 4th DCA 2008) (“We therefore affirm Perry’s convictions but reverse for re-sentencing as to the consecutive tenyear mandatory minimum sentences for armed kidnapping and carjacking with
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the court resentenced Perry to concurrent terms of 65 years in prison with a 10-year mandatory minimum for armed kidnapping and carjacking with a firearm, and a concurrent term of 65 years in prison for sexual battery.
Perry filed a rule 3.800(a) motion, arguing that his sentences were de facto life sentences and that he was entitled to resentencing under chapter 2014–220, Laws of Florida, which has been codified at sections 775.082, 921.1401, and 921.1402, Florida Statutes.
On appeal, Perry argues case law following his resentencing shows he is entitled to relief. See, e.g., Kelsey, 206 So. 3d at 5. In Kelsey, the defendant was a juvenile when he committed armed sexual battery, armed burglary, and armed robbery. Id. at 6-7. Kelsey’s original life sentence was declared unconstitutional under Graham, and the circuit court resentenced him, before July 1, 2014, to concurrent sentences of 45 years in prison. Id. at 7. After the legislature enacted chapter 2014–220, Kelsey moved for resentencing. Id. at 8. In resolving the case, our supreme court rephrased the certified question:
Is a defendant whose original sentence violated Graham v. Florida, 560 U.S. 48 [ ] (2010), and who was subsequently resentenced prior to July 1, 2014, entitled to be resentenced pursuant to the provisions of chapter 2014–220, Laws of Florida?
Id. at 6. The court answered the question in the affirmative. Id.; see also id. at 8 (“[A]ll juveniles who have sentences that violate Graham are entitled to resentencing pursuant to chapter 2014-220, Laws of Florida, codified in sections 775.082, 921.1401 and 921.1402, Florida Statutes (2014).”). While the court has clarified its post-Graham jurisprudence, see, e.g., Franklin v. State, 43 Fla. L. Weekly S556 (Fla. Nov. 8, 2018); State v. Michel, 43 Fla. L. Weekly S298 (Fla. July 12, 2018), it has not receded from the holding in Kelsey.
The question answered in Kelsey controls our disposition here. The circuit court concluded that Perry’s sentence violated Graham.2 As a result, Perry was resentenced. But he was resentenced before July 1,
a firearm.”); Perry v. State, 900 So. 2d 755, 757 (Fla. 4th DCA 2005) (“We direct the trial court to permit Perry to withdraw his plea.”). 2 The earlier decision that Perry’s sentence violated Graham is not the subject of this appeal. We affirmed the court’s order determining Perry’s sentence violated Graham. Perry v. State, 187 So. 3d 1258 (Fla. 4th DCA 2016).
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2014. Thus, under the Florida Supreme Court’s holding in Kelsey, Perry has a right to be resentenced pursuant to the provisions of chapter 2014220, codified at sections 775.082 and 921.1402, Florida Statutes (2014).
Outcome: Reversed and remanded for resentencing
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Defendant's Experts:
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