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548 So. 2d 1277

State v. Legendre

Louisiana Court of Appeal

Decided August 24, 1989

Louisiana Court of Appeal · decided 1989-08-24

Cited by 1 later decisions — most recently January 2017

1 state decisions

Key passage — most relied on by later courts

“The Court of Appeals had remanded for reconsideration of sentence. Upon such reconsideration, the Court has found insufficient reason to alter the sentence originally imposed. Mental problems notwithstanding, the defendant was found to be competent by a duly appointed sanity commission. His crime was atrocious and clearly illustrated a dangerous proclivity set forth in the pre-sentence report. With due respect it is not accurate to say that this Court did not consider the defendant’s mental condition as a mitigating factor. This factor was simply outweighed by the extremely dangerous conduct involved. This Court .is not without sympathy for the defendant, but the Court cannot permit sympathy to color its judgment or bias against the needs of the community.”

quoted by 1 later decision, including 209 So. 3d 927 - State v. Lafleur

Relies on State v. New Orleans Auto Title Co., Inc. · State v. Legendre

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1989-08-24

View the full empirical analysis of this case →

BARRY, Judge.

¶1In State v. Legendre, 522 So.2d 1249 (La.App. 4th Circ.1988), writ den. 523 So.2d 1321 (La.1988), this Court affirmed the conviction but remanded for resentencing because the trial court apparently did not consider the defendant’s mental illness as a mitigating factor. The defendant was re-sentenced and he appeals that sentence.

¶2Our errors patent review revealed that the record did not state that the defendant was present' for resentencing. We requested a per curiam from the district court. The per curiam states the defendant was present for resentencing.

¶3By his sole assignment the defendant alleges the trial court erred by again considering the defendant’s mental illness as an aggravating circumstance. At resen-tencing the judge stated:

The Court of Appeals had remanded for reconsideration of sentence. Upon such reconsideration, the Court has found insufficient reason to alter the sentence originally imposed.
Mental problems notwithstanding, the defendant was found to be competent by a duly appointed sanity commission. His crime was atrocious and clearly illustrated a dangerous proclivity set forth in the pre-sentence report.
With due respect it is not accurate to say that this Court did not consider the defendant’s mental condition as a mitigating factor. This factor was simply outweighed by the extremely dangerous conduct involved. This Court is not without sympathy for the defendant, but the Court cannot permit sympathy to color its judgment or bias against the needs of the community.

¶4The trial judge clearly stated that he considered the defendant’s mental condition as a mitigating factor, but felt that condition was outweighed by the aggravating circumstances of an extremely “atrocious” act. The trial court obviously took into consideration the defendant’s mental illness.

¶5The sentence is affirmed.

¶6AFFIRMED.

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