STATE of South Dakota, Plaintiff and Appellee, v. Shawn Cameron SPRINGER, Defendant and Appellant.
No. 26770.
Supreme Court of South Dakota.
Argued Oct. 8, 2014. Decided Nov. 12, 2014.
2014 S.D. 80; 856 N.W.2d 460
Jamie L. Damon, Pierre, South Dakota, Attorney for defendant and appellant.
WILBUR, Justice.
[¶1.] In August 1996, 16-year-old Shawn Cameron Springer pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a term of years in prison for kidnapping Michael Hare. Springer is eligible for parole after he serves 33 years of his sentence. Based on subsequent United States Supreme Court decisions, Springer filed a motion to correct an illegal sentence. The circuit court denied the motion. We affirm.
BACKGROUND
[¶2.] The facts which relate to the kidnapping, robbery, and murder of Michael Hare can be found in greater detail at State v. Jensen, 1998 S.D. 52, ¶¶ 2-17, 579 N.W.2d 613, 614-16. To summarize, Springer and Paul Dean Jensen, who was 14 years old, called for a taxi on the night of January 14, 1996, in Pierre, South Dakota. Springer and Jensen directed the driver, Michael Hare, to take them to a rural area near Fort Pierre. Once they reached
[¶3.] A Stanley County Grand Jury indicted Springer on April 4, 1996, for multiple crimes, including first-degree murder, felony murder, kidnapping, robbery, grand theft, conspiracy, possession of a stolen vehicle, and aiding and abetting some of the aforementioned crimes. Springer entered into a plea agreement with the State, and on August 12, 1996, the Honorable Max L. Gors held a change of plea hearing, at which the court informed Springer of his statutory and constitutional rights, and the potential minimum and maximum punishments. Springer agreed to cooperate with the police, testify against Jensen, and provide a factual statement of the events surrounding the crimes. In return, the State dropped the other charges, and Springer pleaded guilty to Kidnapping, a Class 1 felony, in violation of
[¶4.] At the October sentencing hearing,1 the State and the victim‘s family ad-
[¶5.] Judge Gors ruled as follows:
There are a number of factors which I‘m going to take into consideration. Some fall on the side of being harsh, and some fall on the side of being lenient. One that falls on the harsh side is the overriding consideration in any sentence like this, is that Michael Hare is dead, and he can‘t ever come back.
I think it‘s also clear from the evidence that this terrible crime was planned, and that Mr. Springer had a part in the planning, the robbery part at a minimum.
On the other hand, Mr. Springer did not shoot Mr. Hare. Mr. Springer did plead guilty to [kidnapping]. Mr. Springer did save the time and expense of a trial. Mr. Springer also saved the Hare family one trial to have to go through.
He did testify against Mr. Jensen, whether his testimony was helpful or not, is hard to say. My estimate of the State‘s case against Paul Jensen was that the State would have won it with or without Mr. Springer‘s testimony.
And I think that Mr. Springer is at least to all appearances beginning to be contrite in his conduct.
Because of all these factors,2 I am going to impose a sentence in this case that may be a life sentence, but it may not be. I do think that ultimately there is a possibility of rehabilitation in a person so young. So I‘m going to give him a term of years rather than a life sentence without parole.
Accordingly, Mr. Springer, it will be the judgment of the court that you spend 261 years in prison. There to be fed, clothed, and housed at the expense of the State of South Dakota.
You‘re under the old system of sentencing parole because your crime was committed prior to July 1st of 1996. 261 years translates to a flat time sentence of 132 years, which I believe is beyond your lifetime, and so in effect this is a life sentence.
But there is also a glimmer of hope down the road, because with your being a first-time offender, you would be eligible for parole, by my calculations, at the
conclusion of 33 years. That gives you an opportunity to convince someone in the future that you can be trusted to be back out of prison. I think that the factors that you—that I considered in mitigation of this sentence require that you have that opportunity at some point.
[¶6.] Following Springer‘s sentencing, the United States Supreme Court decided Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551, 125 S.Ct. 1183, 161 L.Ed.2d 1 (2005); Graham v. Florida, 560 U.S. 48, 130 S.Ct. 2011, 176 L.Ed.2d 825 (2010); and Miller v. Alabama, — U.S. —, 132 S.Ct. 2455, 183 L.Ed.2d 407 (2012). Roper held that the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments forbid the imposition of the death penalty on offenders under the age of 18 at the time of their crime. 543 U.S. at 568, 125 S.Ct. at 1194. Graham held that the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments forbid the imposition of life imprisonment without parole on juveniles for nonhomicide crimes. 560 U.S. at 75, 130 S.Ct. at 2030. Lastly, Miller merged the two cases and held that the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments forbid sentencing schemes that mandate life in prison without parole for juvenile offenders. — U.S. at —, 132 S.Ct. at 2469.
[¶7.] On November 23, 2012, Springer filed a pro se motion to correct an illegal sentence alleging that his sentence was unconstitutional under Roper, Graham, and Miller. The State filed a “resistance to motion to correct sentence” on December 14, 2012, and Springer responded by filing “objections of resistance to motion to correct sentence.” The Honorable Kathleen Trandahl conducted a hearing on June 28, 2013, and denied Springer‘s motion. Judge Trandahl determined that Springer‘s sentence was not illegal because he had the possibility for parole and Judge Gors had properly considered mitigating factors, including age.3 The circuit court entered an order denying defendant‘s motion to correct illegal sentence on June 28, 2013. Springer appeals.
[¶8.] Springer raises one issue in this appeal:
Whether the circuit court erred in rejecting Springer‘s motion to correct illegal sentence.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
[¶9.] Springer asserts that he received an illegal sentence. It is clear that an unconstitutional sentence is an illegal sentence. See State v. Sieler, 1996 S.D. 114, ¶ 7, 554 N.W.2d 477, 480 (holding that illegal sentences are ones that “exceed the relevant statutory maximum limits or violate double jeopardy or are ambiguous or internally contradictory” (emphasis added)); State v. Tibbetts, 333 N.W.2d 440, 441 (S.D.1983) (holding that extra imprisonment in violation of equal protection is illegal in itself); State v. Lyle, 854 N.W.2d 378, 386 (Iowa 2014) (providing that unconstitutional sentences are illegal sentences in the context of the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments); State v. Ragland, 836 N.W.2d 107, 113 (Iowa 2013) (employing a de novo standard of review when the appellant mounted a constitutional attack on an alleged illegal sentence);
DECISION
[¶10.] Whether the circuit court erred in rejecting Springer‘s motion to correct illegal sentence.
[¶11.] The Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution forbids the imposition of cruel and unusual punishment.
[¶12.] As stated above, Roper held that the Eighth and Fourteenth Amend-
A. The impact of Roper, Graham, and Miller on the sentencing of juveniles in South Dakota.
[¶13.] Roper, Graham, and Miller evidence “a shift in the nation‘s moral tolerance” when it comes to sentencing juvenile offenders in adult court. Berget, 2013 S.D. 1, ¶ 90, 826 N.W.2d at 28. While the United States Supreme Court did not altogether prohibit life sentences without parole in Miller,5 States may no longer impose mandatory life sentences on juvenile homicide offenders. Miller, — U.S. at —, 132 S.Ct. at 2469. The Court held that the imposition of mandatory life sentences on juveniles carried “too great a risk of disproportionate punishment[]” forbidden under the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments. Id. Courts around the country must now individually sentence juvenile offenders facing the harshest penalties and consider certain mitigating factors. See Miller, — U.S. at —, 132 S.Ct. at 2464-69. Juvenile offenders warrant special consideration because “children have a lack of maturity and an underdeveloped sense of responsibility ..., are more vulnerable to negative influences and outside pressures ..., [and] a child‘s character is not as well formed as an adult‘s[.]” Id. at —, 132 S.Ct. at 2464 (quoting Roper, 543 U.S. at 569-70, 125 S.Ct. at 1183) (internal quotation marks omitted). The United States Supreme Court rested the Roper, Graham, and Miller decisions on science and social science, quoting neurological, psychological, and sociological studies pertaining to children, their culpability, and their decision-making processes. Id.
[¶14.] In 2013, the South Dakota Legislature passed legislation in an effort to comply with Roper, Graham, and Miller. 2013 S.D. Sess. Laws ch. 105, §§ 1-5. Specifically, the Legislature changed
B. Whether Springer received a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
[¶15.] Graham and Miller apply to sentences of life without parole. See Graham, 560 U.S. at 75, 130 S.Ct. at 2030; Miller, — U.S. at —, 132 S.Ct. at 2469. In order for Springer to obtain resentencing under Graham and Miller, he must establish that: (1) he received a sentence of life without parole and (2) the holdings of Graham and Miller apply retroactively. Neither Graham nor Miller explicitly held that they apply to the functional equivalent of life without parole (i.e. “de facto” life sentences) or apply retroactively. See Graham, 560 U.S. 48, 130 S.Ct. at 2033; Miller, — U.S. —, 132 S.Ct. at 2469; Ragland, 836 N.W.2d at 114. Springer argues, however, that Graham and Miller apply to sentences that are de facto life sentences and that he received a de facto life sentence. In addition, for Graham and Miller to apply in Springer‘s case, their holdings must be made to apply retroactively because Springer‘s conviction is final. Therefore, before we can consider whether or not Springer received an illegal sentence, he must show that he meets both of the conditions.
[¶16.] Our analysis begins by observing that Springer did not receive a mandatory life sentence without the possibility for parole; he received a 261-year term-of-years sentence with the possibility for parole after he serves 33 years of his sentence. He will be 49 years old when he is eligible for parole. Miller applies to offenders who receive mandatory sentences of life without parole. — U.S. at —, 132 S.Ct. at 2469. Springer pleaded guilty to Kidnapping, a Class 1 felony in 1996, in violation of
i. Whether Springer received a de facto life sentence because Judge Gors referred to the sentence as a life sentence.
[¶17.] Springer concedes that he did not receive a life sentence without parole. He contends, however, that Graham and Miller apply to term-of-years sentences that are the functional equivalent of life without parole. In support, Springer points out that Judge Gors twice referred to Springer‘s sentence as a “life sentence.” According to Springer, Judge Gors in essence made his sentence a de facto life sentence because he called it a life sentence and 261 years is well beyond Springer‘s natural life span. Springer also directs us to State v. Semrad, where we held that parole eligibility estimates are not part of the defendant‘s sentence because the power to parole is an executive act, not a judicial one. 2011 S.D. 7, ¶¶ 7-8, 794 N.W.2d 760, 763-64. Therefore, because Judge Gors referred to Springer‘s sentence as a life sentence and the parole eligibility estimate was not part of his sentence, Springer maintains that his 261-year sentence was a de facto life sentence.
[¶18.] The State argues that Springer clearly did not receive a sentence of life without parole or its functional equivalent because he was sentenced to a term of years with the possibility of parole in 2029 when he is 49 years old. Springer‘s sentence did not violate the statutory scheme at the time. Plus, Springer took the benefit of a plea bargain. The State also points out that there is a split of authority as to whether Graham and Miller even apply to de facto life sentences or life sentences with the opportunity for parole. The State urges us to join other jurisdictions that have held that Graham and Miller do not extend to de facto life sentences or life sentences with the opportunity for parole. See State v. Vang, 847 N.W.2d 248, 262-63 (Minn.2014) (holding Miller inapplicable to a life sentence with the possibility of parole in 30 years); State v. Williams, 352 Wis.2d 573, 842 N.W.2d 536 (Ct.App.2013) (per curiam) (holding Graham inapplicable to homicide cases and Miller only applica-
[¶19.] We find Springer‘s first argument as to whether he received a de facto life sentence to be without merit. We place little weight on the fact that Judge Gors referred to Springer‘s sentence as a life sentence. Judge Gors was merely acknowledging the possibility that Springer could spend the rest of his life in prison should he fail to make parole. Indeed, the first time Judge Gors used the term “life sentence” he stated, “I am going to impose a sentence in this case that may be a life sentence, but it may not be.” (Emphasis added). It is undisputed that Springer received a term-of-years sentence with the possibility for parole at age 49. We said in State v. Munk, “It is general settled law in this state that the oral sentence is the only sentence and the written sentence must conform to it.” 453 N.W.2d 124, 125 (S.D.1990); State v. Thayer, 2006 S.D. 40, ¶ 8, 713 N.W.2d 608, 612. If the oral sentence is ambiguous, we then look to the written sentence for clarification. Munk, 453 N.W.2d at 125. Springer does not argue, and we do not conclude, that the oral sentence is ambiguous; but
ii. Whether Springer fits under Caballero‘s rationale.
[¶20.] Springer next contends that he received a de facto life sentence because his case is similar to People v. Caballero, 55 Cal.4th 262, 145 Cal.Rptr.3d 286, 282 P.3d 291 (2012). In Caballero, a California Supreme Court case, a juvenile offender received consecutive sentences that would not allow him the opportunity for parole for over 100 years. Id. at 295. The California Court concluded “that sentencing a juvenile offender for a nonhomicide offense to a term of years with a parole eligibility date that falls outside of the juvenile offender‘s natural life expectancy constitutes cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment.” Id. Under Caballero‘s reasoning, a de facto life sentence is one where the defendant‘s parole eligibility date falls outside of the defendant‘s life expectancy. See id. Springer, however, did not offer any evidence of his life expectancy or that his parole eligibility date in 2029 falls outside of his life expectancy. Thus, Springer does not fall under Caballero‘s reasoning.
iii. Whether Springer fits under Ragland‘s rationale.
[¶21.] Springer next argues that his situation is similar to Jeffrey Ragland, an Iowa juvenile offender. Ragland received a mandatory sentence of life without parole after being convicted of first-degree murder under Iowa‘s felony-murder doctrine. Ragland, 836 N.W.2d at 110. After the United States Supreme Court decided Miller in 2012, the Governor of Iowa commuted all juvenile, mandatory sentences of life without parole to term-of-years sentences in order to comply with Miller‘s mandates. Id. at 111-12. Instead of life without parole, the Governor of Iowa commuted Ragland‘s sentence to a term of 60 years, at which time he would be eligible for release. Id. This meant that Ragland would be eligible for release at 78 years of age; his life expectancy was 78.6 years. Id. at 119. The Iowa Supreme Court held that Miller applies “not only to mandatory life sentences without parole, but also to the practical equivalent of life-without-parole sentences.” Id. (emphasis added). The Iowa Supreme Court reasoned:
Oftentimes, it is important that the spirit of the law not be lost in the application of the law. This is one such time. The spirit of the constitutional mandates of Miller and Graham instruct that much more is at stake in the sentencing of juveniles than merely making sure that parole is possible. In light of our increased understanding of the decision making of youths, the sentencing process must be tailored to account in a meaningful way for the attributes of juveniles that are distinct from adult conduct. At the core of all this also lies the profound sense of what a person loses by beginning to serve a lifetime of incarceration as a youth.
In the end, a government system that resolves disputes could hardly call itself a system of justice with a rule that demands individualized sentencing considerations common to all youths apply only to those youths facing a sentence of life with no parole until age seventy-eight. Accordingly, we hold Miller applies to sentences that are the functional equivalent of life without parole.
Id. at 121-22. Springer insists that he received the functional equivalent of life without parole because he will not have the
[¶22.] Springer‘s reliance on Ragland is misplaced. The defendant in Ragland first received a mandatory sentence of life without parole, which was subsequently commuted to a term of years. Id. at 111-12. Springer never received a mandatory sentence of life without parole. Ragland‘s life expectancy was 78.6 years, and he would not have a chance to obtain release until 78. Id. at 119-21. Springer did not submit any evidence of his life expectancy and has the opportunity to obtain release when he is 49. Because Springer submitted no evidence regarding his life expectancy, we have no basis to conclude that Springer‘s life expectancy is approximately equal to his parole date. Therefore, Springer‘s sentence differs significantly from Ragland‘s and he does not fit under Ragland‘s rationale.
iv. Whether Springer is nonetheless being denied a meaningful opportunity for release.
[¶23.] Lastly, Springer contends that he is nonetheless being denied a meaningful opportunity for release under Graham and, therefore, received a de facto life sentence. Graham requires that juvenile offenders have a “meaningful opportunity to obtain release based on demonstrated maturity and rehabilitation.” 560 U.S. at 75, 130 S.Ct. at 2030 (emphasis added). The United States Supreme Court concluded in Graham, “A State need not guarantee the offender eventual release, but if it imposes a sentence of life it must provide him or her with some realistic opportunity to obtain release before the end of that term.” 560 U.S. at 82, 130 S.Ct. at 2034 (emphasis added). Thus, a meaningful opportunity is a realistic one. Id.
[¶24.] The United States Supreme Court determined that the appellant in Graham did not have a realistic or meaningful opportunity to obtain release because Florida had abolished its parole system, meaning Graham‘s only opportunity for release would be executive clemency. Id. at 57, 130 S.Ct. at 2020. The Court reasoned that the possibility for clemency was too remote and did “not mitigate the harshness of the sentence.” Id. at 70, 130 S.Ct. at 2027 (citing Solem v. Helm, 463 U.S. 277, 300-01, 103 S.Ct. 3001, 3015, 77 L.Ed.2d 637 (1983)). Springer, on the other hand, has the opportunity for parole at age 49.6 He is not completely dependent on clemency like Graham. Additionally, Judge Gors specifically considered Springer‘s chances for rehabilitation and release. Judge Gors commented, “I do think that ultimately there is a possibility of rehabilitation in a person so young.” He also stated that there was a “glimmer of hope down the road” wherein Springer would have “an opportunity to convince someone
[¶25.] It is clear that Springer did not receive a de facto life sentence under any rule or rationale he posits. Springer cannot establish that he received the functional equivalent of life without parole under either Caballero‘s or Ragland‘s rationale. Accordingly, we decline to adopt either California‘s or Iowa‘s rule at this time. Springer does not provide any case law supporting his position that a term-of-years sentence with parole eligibility in a defendant‘s 40s or 50s constitutes a de facto life sentence. Springer does not cite any Eighth or Fourteenth Amendment case law holding that a defendant who is eligible for parole in either his 40s or 50s is being denied a “meaningful opportunity to obtain release.”7 Because Springer cannot establish a rule for what constitutes a de facto life sentence under which he is entitled to relief, we also decline to craft our own rule. In declining to adopt or craft such a rule, we further decline the invitation to join jurisdictions holding Roper, Graham, and Miller applicable or inapplicable to de facto life sentences. Springer did not receive life without parole or a de facto life sentence because he has the opportunity for release at age 49.8
C. Whether Roper, Graham, and Miller apply retroactively.
[¶26.] Springer is unable to establish that he received a sentence of life without parole (or a de facto life sentence) for Roper, Graham, and Miller to apply to him. Because he cannot establish that he received the type of sentence required for Roper, Graham, and Miller to apply to him, we need not decide today whether those three cases might apply retroactively. Therefore, we will not analyze Springer‘s other arguments under Roper, Graham, and Miller regarding individualized sentencing.
CONCLUSION
[¶27.] Accordingly, Springer did not receive an illegal sentence and is ineligible for resentencing. We affirm.
[¶28.] GILBERTSON, Chief Justice, and KONENKAMP and SEVERSON, Justices, and ROEHR, Circuit Court Judge, concur.
[¶29.] ROEHR, Circuit Court Judge, sitting for ZINTER, Justice, disqualified.