DANNY SAMPSON, APPELLANT,
v.
STATE OF FLORIDA, APPELLEE

Fla. 5th DCA | 2002-12-06
No. 5D02-2970
GRIFFIN and PALMER, JJ., concur.
832 So. 2d 251 Florida District Court of Appeal, Fifth District (2002) Positive Treatment
Cited by 36 cases

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Holding

The court held that the appellant's claims regarding habitual felony offender sentencing and ineffective assistance of counsel were legally insufficient or not prejudicial.


Headnotes

[1] A habitual felony offender sentence is permissible based on a defendant's prior criminal record.

[2] A trial court is not required to state specific language to impose a habitual sentence, provided the intent to impose such a sentence is clear.

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Facts & Procedural History

Sampson appealed the denial of his motion for post-conviction relief, arguing he should not have been sentenced as a habitual felony offender and that…

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Opinion of the Court
SHARP, W., J.

Sampson appeals from the trial court’s order summarily denying his motion filed pursuant to Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.850. He raises four grounds for finding his trial counsel inadequately represented him and claims he should not have received a habitual felony offender sentence. We affirm.

First, Sampson argues he should not have been sentenced as an habitual felony offender because the state failed to present certified copies of his prior convictions and a certificate which established he had never been pardoned. He complains that the state made “hearsay” reference to his prior convictions. He also argues the trial court made no statement that a habitual-ized sentence was necessary for the protection of the public. He also raises these matters in the context of ineffective assistance of trial counsel claims. The claims regarding insufficient proof of prior convictions are legally insufficient because Sampson fails to allege that he lacked the prior criminal record necessary for habitualization. Nor does the trial court have to state any set words in order to effectively impose a habitual sentence, so long as it is clear the court intends to impose such a sentence.1 Much to the contrary of Sampson’s argument, section 775.084(3)(a)6,2 Florida Statutes, mandates an habitual sentence if the defendant meets the criminal record criteria set forth in the statute and only requires written reasons by the sentencing judge if he or she finds an habitualized sentence is not necessa/t'y for the protection of the public. There is no basis for Sampson’s assertion that the sentencing judge must find that a habitualized sentence is necessary for the protection of the public.

Second, Sampson argues his habit-ualized sentence is improper in light of Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000). Ap-prendi allows for habitualized sentences which are enhanced on the basis of a defendant’s prior criminal record under statutes similar to section 775.084. See also Wright v. State, 780 So. 2d 216 (Fla. 5th DCA 2001).

Third, Sampson argues his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to present exculpatory evidence in the form of a taped statement from co-defendant, Nap-po. In the statement Nappo allegedly admitted he committed the offense for which Sampson was being tried, while Sampson was passed out in the backseat of a car parked away from the crime scene. Nap-po testified at trial and admitted to making that statement. Regardless of whether or not the tape was admissible under section 90.803(18) (admission against interest), it was merely cumulative to Nappo’s trial testimony and thus if error occurred, it was not prejudicial.

Fourth, Sampson claims trial counsel was ineffective for failing to depose state witness-Robert Peters, who testified at trial. Peters testified that Sampson, accompanied by Eric Nappo (brother of the co-defendant), came to his house and threatened to “get” him if he testified. On cross-examination, Peters disclosed he had told his father, his lawyer and the state about this incident, but the state did not disclose it to the defense. After a Richardson hearing3 the trial court denied Sampson’s motion for mistrial, finding the non-disclosure was not willful. We find this ground is insufficient to establish inadequate representation by trial counsel. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). Had trial counsel deposed Peters and learned of the alleged threat before trial there would have been no basis to exclude Peters’ testimony.

Fifth, Sampson argues his trial counsel was ineffective because he failed to provide argument in support of his motion for judgment of acquittal. He claims his counsel should have pointed to various inconsistencies in the evidence. But inconsistencies in the evidence does not constitute a legally sufficient basis to support a motion for judgment of acquittal. The defense must accept all competent evidence adduced against the defendant, and be able to demonstrate the state failed to prove one or more essential elements of the criminal charge with competent substantial evidence. See, e.g., Espiet v. State, 797 So. 2d 598, 601 (Fla. 5th DCA 2001).

AFFIRMED.

GRIFFIN and PALMER, JJ., concur. . Yates v. State, 823 So. 2d 273 (Fla. 5th DCA 2002).

. Section 775.084(3)(a)6., Florida Statutes, provides:

For an offense committed on or after October 1, 1995, if the state attorney pursues a habitual felony offender sanctioned or a habitual violent felony offender sanction against the defendant and the court, in a separate proceeding pursuant to this paragraph, determines that the defendant meets the criteria under subsection (1) for imposing such sanction, the curt must sentence the defendant as a habitual felony offender, or a habitual violent felony offender, subject t imprisonment pursuant to this section unless the court finds that such sentence is not necessary for the protection of the public. If the court finds that it is not necessary for the protection of the public to sentence the defendant as a habitual felony offender or a habitual violent felony offender, the court shall provide written reasons; a written transcript of orally stated reasons is permissible, if filed by the court within 7 days after the date of sentencing. Each month, the court shall submit to the office of Economic and Demographic Research of the Legislature the written reasons or transcripts in each case in which the court determines not to sentence a defendant as a habitual felony offender of a habitual violent felony offender as provided in this subparagraph.

. Richardson v. State, 246 So. 2d 771 (Fla.1971).


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Citator

Cited By (21 total)

  • Rangel v. State, 937 So. 2d 1218 (Fla. 3d DCA 2006)
    …ommitted more than three years after his release from prison. See Macaluso v. State, 912 So. 2d 694, 695-96 (Fla. 2d DCA 2005). The defendant has not made this allegation, thus the trial court was correct in denying his motion. See Sampson v. State, 832 So. 2d 251, 253 (Fla. 5th DCA 2002) (claims regarding insufficient proof of prior convictions were legally insufficient where defendant failed to allege that he lacked the prior criminal record necessary for habitualization). Moreover, be [*1219] cause here th…
  • Elysee ST. Louis v. State, 985 So. 2d 16 (Fla. 4th DCA 2008)
    …ntencing. Compare Kaua v. Frank, 436 F. 3d 1057 (9th Cir.2006). Rather, the judge can make the finding to except an otherwise qualified defendant from habitual offender sentencing. O’Neal v. State, 862 So. 2d 91 (Fla. 2d DCA 2003); Sampson v. State, 832 So. 2d 251, 253 (Fla. 5th DCA 2002). In other words, the prior convictions alone authorize the sentence. Therefore, no Apprendi/Blakely violation is present. Petition denied. STONE, WARNER and TAYLOR, JJ., concur. . Blakely v. Washington, 542 U.S. 296, 124…
  • Hornbuckle v. State, 864 So. 2d 1203 (Fla. 5th DCA 2004)
    …but within the sentencing authority of the trial court, no legal basis for the objection has been suggested. If there was no legal basis for defense counsel to object to the sentence, the failure to do so cannot be ineffective. See Sampson v. State, 832 So. 2d 251 (Fla. 5th DCA 2002). AFFIRMED. SHARP, W., and GRIFFIN, JJ„ concur. . Hornbuckle v. State, 812 So. 2d 429 (Fla. 5th DCA 2002). . Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984).…

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