State v. Sellers
253 P.3d 20
| Kan. | 2011Background
- Sellers was convicted by jury of two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child (breast and pubic area) under K.S.A. 21-3504(a)(3)(A); life postrelease supervision and lifetime electronic monitoring were imposed.
- The victim, M.R.C., was 13 years old at the time of the alleged offenses occurring in late 2007 at her mother C.M.'s home where Sellers resided with them.
- Counts 1 and 2 concerned touching the victim’s breast on or about November 24, 2007 and touching her pubic area on or about November 24, 2007; Count 3 for Halloween touching was acquitted.
- The district court later corrected the postrelease term from 36 months to lifetime and imposed lifetime electronic monitoring; the latter was later vacated on appeal.
- Sellers challenged (1) denial of his request for a psychological evaluation of the victim, (2) multiplicity of Counts 1 and 2, (3) lifetime postrelease as unconstitutional, (4) sentencing modification, and (5) lifetime monitoring.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether the district court abused discretion by denying a psychological evaluation of the victim. | Sellers argues compelling circumstances justify evaluation. | State contends no compelling need under Price factors. | No abuse; no compelling need shown. |
| Whether Counts 1 and 2 were multiplicitous. | Sellers contends same conduct; single offense. | State contends separate acts with a break and fresh impulse. | Not multiplicitous; two separate offenses. |
| Whether lifetime postrelease is unconstitutional. | Constitutional challenge preserved; seeks ruling. | Constitutional concerns not preserved for review. | Unpreserved—no ruling on constitutionality. |
| Whether district court could modify sentence (postrelease term) after close of record. | Argues invalid correction from 36 months to lifetime. | State cites Ballard allowing correction as illegal sentence remains subject to correction under statute. | Lifetime postrelease affirmed; correction to lifetime proper under statute. |
| Whether lifetime electronic monitoring was proper. | Requested as part of sentence. | Electronic monitoring belongs to Parole Board, not postrelease. | Vacate lifetime electronic monitoring. |
Key Cases Cited
- State v. Price, 275 Kan. 78 (2003) (guide for compelling circumstances in victim evaluation)
- State v. Berriozabal, 291 Kan. 568 (2010) (totality of circumstances; factors for psychological evaluation)
- State v. Rucker, 267 Kan. 816 (1999) (abuse of discretion standard for psychological evaluation)
- State v. Schoonover, 281 Kan. 453 (2006) (four guiding multiplicity factors and same-conduct test)
- State v. Thompson, 287 Kan. 238 (2009) (two-prong test for multiplicity; unitary conduct)
- State v. Ballard, 289 Kan. 1000 (2011) (correction of illegal sentence under 22-3504 allowed; off-grid vs grid doctrine)
- State v. Bello, 289 Kan. 191 (2009) (age as element in off-grid Jessica's Law offenses; authority to impose postrelease)
- State v. Morningstar, 289 Kan. 488 (2009) (off-grid vs grid implications for sentencing)
- State v. Gonzales, 289 Kan. 351 (2009) (off-grid sentencing considerations under Jessica's Law)
- State v. Reyna, 290 Kan. 666 (2010) (age-related elements not required where not affecting verdict)
