Johnson v. State, 568 So. 2d 519

WOLF, Judge.

Johnson appeals his judgment and sentence for second degree murder and possession of a firearm on several grounds, only one of which we find to have merit.

The defendant was convicted of second degree murder pursuant to section 782.04(2), Florida Statutes (1989), which constitutes a first degree felony. This offense was reclassified to a life felony under section 775.087, Florida Statutes (1989), because the defendant used a firearm during commission of the felony. Before sentencing, the court found the defendant to be a habitual violent felony offender pursuant to section 775.084, Florida Statutes. The trial judge mistakenly believed that section 775.084(4)(b)(1), Florida Statutes (1989), allowed him to sentence the defendant to life in prison without eligibility for release for 15 years. However, there is no provision under the habitual violent felony offender statute for enhancing the sentence of a defendant convicted of a life felony. Therefore, it was error for the trial judge to sentence the defendant pursuant to this statute.

Accordingly we must reverse and remand to the trial court for resentencing.

WIGGINTON and MINER, JJ., concur.

Case Details

Case Name: Johnson v. State

Court Name: District Court of Appeal of Florida

Date Published: Oct 22, 1990

Citations: 568 So. 2d 519; 1990 WL 157745; 89-2128

Docket Number: 89-2128

Court Abbreviation: Fla. Dist. Ct. App.