Preview:

Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), this Memorandum Decision shall not be regarded as precedent or cited before any court except for the purpose of establishing the defense of res judicata, collateral estoppel, or the law of the case.

ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT: TIMOTHY J. LEMON Morocco, Indiana

ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE: GREGORY F. ZOELLER Attorney General of Indiana ANDREW R. FALK Deputy Attorney General Indianapolis, Indiana

FILED
of the supreme court, court of appeals and tax court

Oct 27 2010, 9:38 am

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
RONALD TRENT, Appellant-Defendant, vs. STATE OF INDIANA, Appellee-Plaintiff. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

CLERK

No. 75A03-1003-CR-180

APPEAL FROM THE STARKE CIRCUIT COURT The Honorable Jeanene Calabrese, Special Judge Cause No. 75C01-0212-FA-6

October 27, 2010

MEMORANDUM DECISION - NOT FOR PUBLICATION

KIRSCH, Judge

Ronald Trent ("Trent") pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter,1 a Class A felony, and, was sentenced to thirty-five years executed. He appeals his sentence, raising the following restated issues: I. Whether the trial court abused its discretion in its determination of mitigating factors; and Whether the sentence imposed was inappropriate in light of the nature of the offense and the character of the offender.

II.

We affirm. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY On November 29, 2002, Trent, Ralph Herron ("Herron"), and Clyde Lovely ("Lovely") gathered at Herron and Trents residence and became intoxicated on alcohol and pills. Eventually, an argument ensued which developed into a physical altercation. During the altercation, Trent took Lovelys metal cane and began beating him with it. After the blows caused the cane to break, Trent stabbed Lovely several times with the sharp end of the cane. Appellant's App. at 11-13. Trent then wrapped Lovely in a piece of plastic, took him to a bridge over a ditch, and dumped him into the water. Prior to disposing of Lovelys body, Trent and Herron were not positive Lovely was actually dead, but he had died by the time his body was found the next day. Id. at 11-14. The State charged Trent with voluntary manslaughter. On the day before a jury trial was to begin, he entered into a plea agreement and pleaded guilty to the offense. Id. at 10, 84. The agreement stipulated that Trent would not receive more than a forty-year sentence

1

See Ind. Code

Download Ronald Trent v. State of Indiana.pdf

Indiana Law