State v. Mitchell

• Decision Date: 22 June 2007
• Docket Number: No. 96,807.,96,807.
• Citation: 162 P.3d 18
• Parties: STATE of Kansas, Appellee, v. Robert E. MITCHELL, Appellant.
• Court: Kansas Supreme Court

162 P.3d 18

STATE of Kansas, Appellee, v. Robert E. MITCHELL, Appellant.

No. 96,807.

Supreme Court of Kansas.

June 22, 2007.

B. Joyce Yeager, of Yeager Law Firm, L.L.C., of Overland Park, argued the cause and was on the brief for appellant.

Steven J. Obermeier, assistant district attorney, argued the cause, and Paul J. Morrison, district attorney, and Phill Kline, attorney general, were with him on the brief for appellee.

The opinion of the court was delivered by ROSEN, J.:

Robert E. Mitchell appeals the dismissal of his pro se motion to correct an illegal sentence. In 1988, Mitchell was convicted of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary, rape, and two counts of aggravated sodomy. Because Mitchell had been convicted of three prior felonies, the district court sentenced him as a habitual offender pursuant to K.S.A. 21-4504(b) (Ensley 1988). The district court sentenced Mitchell to serve a term of life imprisonment for the aggravated kidnapping count; a term of 45 years to life in prison for each of the rape and aggravated sodomy counts; and a term of 15-60 years in prison for the aggravated battery count. The district court ordered the sentences for the aggravated kidnapping and aggravated battery counts to run consecutively and ordered the rape and aggravated sodomy counts to run concurrent with one another but consecutive to the sentences for aggravated kidnapping and aggravated burglary, giving Mitchell a controlling sentence of a minimum of life plus 60 years and a maximum of two life sentences plus 60 years.

This court upheld Mitchell's convictions and sentences in his direct appeal. State v. Mitchell, No. 62,234, 784 P.2d 365, unpublished opinion filed December 8, 1989. Mitchell filed a K.S.A. 60-1507 motion in August 1996, alleging ineffective assistance of counsel. Following an evidentiary hearing, the district court denied Mitchell's 60-1507 motion, and the Court of Appeals affirmed the district court's decision. Mitchell v. State, No. 87,218, 61 P.3d 124, unpublished opinion filed December 27, 2002.

On August 29, 2004, Mitchell filed a motion to correct an illegal sentence pursuant to K.S.A. 22-3504. The district court dismissed the motion without a hearing, concluding there were no substantial issues of law or fact. The district court ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to address Mitchell's claims because they did not fit the definition of an illegal sentence. The district court further concluded that it could not consider Mitchell's motion as a 60-1507 motion because it was time-barred. Mitchell filed a timely pro se notice of appeal. Mitchell's appeal was initially docketed with the Court of Appeals. However, the State filed a motion to transfer, recognizing that the case had been misdocketed with the Court of Appeals because it involved a life sentence. The matter was then transferred to this court pursuant to K.S.A. 20-3018(c).

ANALYSIS

Mitchell argues that his sentence is illegal because it violates his state and federal constitutional rights. Specifically, Mitchell argues that his sentences violate double jeopardy, equal protection, and the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution. In addition, Mitchell argues that his sentences are illegal because K.S.A. 21-4504 (Ensley 1988) does not authorize consecutive sentences. Finally, Mitchell asserts that this court has jurisdiction to address his constitutional arguments even if his sentence is not illegal by considering his motion as a K.S.A. 60-1507 motion.

Mitchell asserts that our standard of review is unlimited because an appellate court reviews constitutional issues as questions of law. While we agree that our standard of review is unlimited, we do not agree with Mitchell's reasoning. Rather, we exercise de novo review in this matter because the determination of whether a sentence is illegal within the meaning of K.S.A. 22-3504 is a question of law. State v. Huff, 277 Kan. 195, 199, 83 P.3d 206 (2004).

Pursuant to K.S.A. 22-3504(1), a defendant may file a motion to correct an illegal sentence at any time. An illegal sentence is "`a sentence imposed by a court without jurisdiction, a sentence which does not conform to the statutory provision, either in the character or the term of the punishment authorized, or a sentence which is ambiguous with respect to the time and manner in which it is to be served.'" State v. Gayden, 281 Kan. 290, 291, 130 P.3d 108 (2006) (quoting State v. Duke, 263 Kan. 193, 194, 946 P.2d 1375 [1997]).

Constitutional challenges

Mitchell argues that his sentences violate double jeopardy, equal protection, and the Eighth Amendment. However, we decline to address the merits of Mitchell's arguments. A motion to correct an illegal sentence pursuant to K.S.A. 22-3504(1) applies in very limited circumstances. The defendant's sentence must fall within the definition of an illegal sentence to qualify as an illegal sentence under the statute. A constitutional challenge to a sentence is not equivalent to a statutory challenge. Because the definition of an illegal sentence does not include a claim that the sentence violates a constitutional provision, a defendant may not file a motion to correct an illegal sentence based on constitutional challenges to his or her sentence. Gayden, 281 Kan. at 293, 130 P.3d 108. Thus, the district court properly concluded that it did not have jurisdiction under K.S.A 22-3504 to address Mitchell's constitutional challenges to his sentences.

Statutory challenge

Mitchell summarily claims that his sentences violate the habitual offender statute, K.S.A. 21-4504, because it does not provide for consecutive sentences. Mitchell raises no argument and cites no authority to support his claim. Simply raising a point without any supporting argument or authority is the equivalent of failing to brief an issue. When an appellant fails to brief an issue, the issue is deemed waived. State v. Corbett, 281 Kan. 294, 315, 130 P.3d 1179 (2006).

Nevertheless, the issue has no merit. The habitual offender statute in effect at the time of Mitchell's sentences provided in pertinent part:

"(b) If a defendant is convicted of a felony a third or subsequent time, the trial judge shall sentence the defendant as follows, upon motion of the prosecuting attorney:

"(1) The court shall fix a minimum sentence of not less than the greatest nor more than three times the greatest minimum sentence authorized by K.S.A. 21-4501 and amendments thereto, for the crime for which the defendant is convicted; and

"(2) the court may fix a maximum sentence of not less than the least nor more than three times the greatest maximum sentence provided by K.S.A. 21-4501 and amendments thereto for the crime." K.S.A. 21-4504(b) (Ensley 1988).

K.S.A. 21-4608(1) (Ensley 1988) governed the imposition of consecutive sentences at the time of Mitchell's sentencing, stating:

"When separate sentences of imprisonment for different crimes are imposed on a defendant on the same date, including sentences for crimes for which suspended sentences, probation or assignment to a community correctional services program have been revoked, such sentences shall run concurrently or consecutively as the court directs. Whenever the record is silent as to the manner in which two...