FOR PUBLICATION
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT: ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE:
BRUCE A. STUARD STEVE CARTER
Indianapolis, Indiana Attorney General of Indiana
MATTHEW D. FISHER
Deputy Attorney General
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
BILLY JULIAN, )
)
Appellant-Defendant, )
)
vs. ) No. 48A02-0305-CR-406
)
STATE OF INDIANA, )
)
Appellee-Plaintiff. )
APPEAL FROM THE MADISON SUPERIOR COURT
The Honorable Thomas Newman, Jr., Judge
Cause No. 48D03-0204-FB-107
June 29, 2004
OPINION - FOR PUBLICATION
RILEY, Judge
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
Appellant-Defendant, Billy Julian (Julian), appeals his convictions for Count I, arson, a Class
B felony, Ind. Code § 35-43-1-1(A)(1); Count II, burglary, a Class C felony,
I.C. § 35-43-2-1; and Count III, attempted theft, a Class D felony, I.C.
§ 35-43-4-2(A).
We affirm.
ISSUES
Julian raises five issues on appeal, which we consolidate and restate as follows:
1. Whether the trial court erred in allowing the State to impeach its own
witness;
2. Whether the trial court erred in allowing the States expert witness, Timothy Murray,
to testify that the fire in the school was intentionally set;
3. Whether the trial court violated its separation of witnesses order by permitting a
States witness, who remained in the courtroom, to testify after hearing the testimony
of other witnesses; and
4. Whether the trial court properly sentenced Julian.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
In the late evening of March 11, 2001, Julian, Josh Rider (Rider), and
J.H., a juvenile, broke into Frankton High School (the school) in Madison County,
Indiana. The three perpetrators entered the school through a door on the
roof of the school, removed a ceiling tile from above the ceiling, and
climbed down a ladder into the hallway. After obtaining an oxyacetylene torch
from the industrial arts classroom, the young men entered the schools main office
suite. The torch was then used to burn wiring in the enunciator
panel that serves as the control box for the schools fire alarm system
in the main office. The torch was also used in an attempt
to open a large safe where prescription drugs and money were stored in
the main office. However, during this failed attempt to open the safe,
molten steel dripped onto the carpet, causing a fire.
William Amick (Amick), Head of Security for Frankton-Lapel Schools, responded first to the
scene after being alerted of the fire alarm through his pager shortly after
12:30 a.m. on March 12, 2001. Once the fire department arrived and
the fire was brought under control, Amick patrolled the perimeter of the school
and school grounds to prevent anyone from entering the area. Later in
the afternoon of March 12, 2001, while still on patrol, Amick noticed a
young man, who he recognized as J.H., walking on the sidewalk near the
football stadium. Amick observed that J.H. was covered in soot. J.H.
explained his appearance, saying that he had been burning trash in his backyard.
Amick informed Madison County Sheriffs Department Detective Samuel Hanna (Detective Hanna) of his
encounter with J.H. Detective Hanna arranged to interview J.H. on March 16,
2001, about the fire at the school. During the interview, J.H. implicated
Julian, Rider, and himself as being involved in the burglary and fire.
Meanwhile, during the course of the investigation, Detective Hanna recovered three red fibers
from the top of a security gate inside the school. Investigators previously
determined that at least one of the perpetrators had climbed over the gate
upon entering the school through the ceiling. Forensic analyses of the fibers
revealed that they were very similar to those in a red shirt frequently
worn by Julian. (Transcript p. 123).
On March 16, 2001, Julian was arrested. On April 3, 2001, the
State filed an information against Julian, charging him with Count I, arson, a
Class B felony, I.C. § 35-43-1-1(A)(1); Count II, burglary, a Class C felony,
I.C. § 35-43-2-1; and Count III, attempted theft, a Class D felony, I.C.
35-43-4-2(A). On March 6, 2003, the State filed an additional information, charging
Julian with Count IV, criminal mischief, a Class C felony, I.C. § 35-43-1-2(B).
On March 11, 2003, through March 14, 2003, the trial court conducted a
jury trial in this matter. On March 14, 2003, the jury returned
a verdict finding Julian guilty as charged. On March 31, 2003, a
sentencing hearing was held in which the trial court sentenced Julian to the
Department of Correction for eighteen years on Count I, with fifteen years executed
and three years suspended to probation; six years executed on Count II to
run concurrent with Count I; and three years executed on Count III to
run concurrent with Count I. The trial court also vacated the conviction
on Count IV, pursuant to Julians request.
Julian now appeals. Additional facts will be supplied as necessary.
DISCUSSION AND DECISION
I. Impeachment of States Witness
A. Trial Court Error
Julian first argues that the trial court erred by allowing the State to
impeach its own witness. Specifically, Julian contends that, when the State impeached
J.H., who was testifying as a States witness, the prosecutor improperly offered an
out-of-court statement by J.H. as substantive evidence, which is contrary to law.
Indiana Evidence Rule 607 authorizes a party to impeach the credibility of its
own witness. Impson v. State, 721 N.E.2d 1275, 1281 (Ind. Ct. App.
2000). However, the rule is abused if the party is permitted to
call a co-defendant as a witness, when the party knows that the co-defendant
will not give useful evidence, just so the party can introduce otherwise inadmissible
hearsay evidence against the defendant, in the hope that the jury would miss
the subtle distinction between impeachment and substantive evidenceor, if it didnt miss it,
would ignore it. Id. (quoting U.S. v. Webster, 734 F.2d 1191, 1192
(7th Cir. 1984). To determine whether an abuse of the rule has
occurred, we consider whether the prosecutor examined the witness for the primary purpose
of placing before the jury otherwise inadmissible evidence. Id. Nevertheless, otherwise
inadmissible evidence that is placed before the jury when the State has a
legitimate basis to call the witness will not be considered improper. Id.
In the instant case, the trial court conducted multiple hearings outside the presence
of the jury regarding the States desire to call J.H. as a witness
and Julians objection thereto. During these hearings, Julian objected strenuously that
the State was attempting to place J.H. on the stand to present otherwise
inadmissible evidence cloaked as impeachment in violation of Appleton v. State, 740 N.E.2d
122, 125 (Ind. 2001)(where our supreme court held that a party is forbidden
from placing a witness on the stand when the partys sole purpose in
doing so is to present otherwise inadmissible evidence cloaked as impeachment). The
trial court eventually granted the States request to call J.H. as a witness,
explaining that, the State [has] the right to impeach. Its not hearsay.
Its not confrontational, because its impeachment. Its not substantive evidence.
So the States request is granted. (Tr. pp. 291-2).
However, as the State launched into a line-by-line impeachment of J.H., to which
Julian objected, the trial court sustained Julians objection and advised the State that
it could only inquire into an explanation of the inconsistencies in J.H.s out-of-court
statement and his in-court testimony. Thereafter, the trial court admonished the jury
that the evidence of prior inconsistent statements by J.H. were not offered for
their truthfulness, but only to show that [J.H.] is not a truthful person.
(Tr. p. 319).
After reviewing the record, we conclude that the trial court committed no error
by allowing the State to call J.H. as a witness and then proceed
to impeach him. According to the facts before the jury, J.H. was
first encountered by Amick, who saw J.H. walking near the school football stadium
the afternoon following the fire; J.H. was covered in soot. When Amick
questioned J.H., he explained that the soot resulted from his burning trash in
his backyard. Amick reported J.H.s suspicious appearance to Detective Hanna, who arranged
to interview J.H. a few days later. Also before the jury was
Hannas testimony that, as a result of his interview with J.H., Julian became
a suspect in the school burglary and fire. Thus, if the State
had omitted J.H. from its list of witnesses, the jury could reasonably have
wondered why the State was reluctant to question this apparently crucial witness.
See Impson, 721 N.E.2d at 1282.
Moreover, the trial court closely monitored the effects of its ruling to allow
the States impeachment of J.H., and, as the States questioning began to amount
to an impermissible line-by-line impeachment, the trial court sustained Julians objection and advised
the State to redirect its questions to give J.H. the opportunity to explain
his inconsistencies. This approach is acceptable under Appleton, where our supreme court
held that [o]nce [the witness] denied Appletons involvement in the events, the State
should have made [the witness] aware of specific portions of his testimony that
were inconsistent with statements he made prior to trial and given him an
opportunity to explain those inconsistencies. See Appleton, 740 N.E.2d at 126; see
also Martin v. State, 779 N.E.2d 1235, 1243 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002), trans.
denied.
We are mindful that the State may have been able to place more
of J.H.s out-of-court statement in front of the jury than would be preferred,
especially in light of the fact that Julian offered to stipulate that the
out-of-court statement was untruthful in order to make the impeachment unnecessary. See
Appleton, 740 N.E.2d at 125. In addition, we are aware of the
fact that, once J.H. admitted to the inconsistent prior statement, he had effectively
impeached himself and further evidence was unnecessary for impeachment purposes. See id.
Nonetheless, as stated above, J.H. was a key witness to the State and
his absence as a witness would most likely have been noticed by the
jury. See Impson, 721 N.E.2d at 1282. For these reasons, we
find that the trial court committed no error in permitting the State to
call J.H. as a witness and then impeach him.
B. Unfair Prejudice
Nevertheless, Julian maintains that, even if the State properly impeached J.H. through the
use of a prior inconsistent statement, the probative value of his testimony is
significantly outweighed by the unfair prejudice of the jury considering the impeachment testimony
as substantive evidence. We disagree.
A trial court possesses broad discretion in ruling on the admissibility of evidence.
Appleton, 740 N.E.2d at 123. Pursuant to Evid. R. 401, evidence
is relevant if it has any tendency to make the existence of any
fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action more probable
or less probable than it would be without the evidence. See Sanders
v. State, 724 N.E.2d 1127, 1131 (Ind. Ct. App. 2000). That said,
under Evid. R. 403, the trial court may exclude relevant evidence if its
probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of
the issues, or misleading the jury, or by considerations of undue delay, or
needless presentation of cumulative evidence. Id. The trial court has wide
latitude in weighing the probative value of evidence against the potentially prejudicial effects
of its admission. Id. The determination reached by the trial court
as a result of the Evid. R. 403 balancing test is reviewed for
an abuse of discretion by this court. Id.
First, we have already determined above that the trial court monitored the States
impeachment of J.H. in such a way as to keep it within acceptable
limits. Furthermore, the portions of J.H.s prior inconsistent statement that were placed
before the jury were unlikely to tip the scales against Julian any more
than the abundant circumstantial evidence of his guilt. However, we also find
that, if any error resulted from J.H.s testimony, that error is harmless.
See Appleton, 740 N.E.2d at 124 (even if a trial court errs in
admitting evidence, we will not overturn the conviction if the error is harmless).
An error is viewed as harmless if its probable impact on the
jury is sufficiently minor so as not to affect a partys substantial rights.
Id.
In the present case, the State presented several other witnesses who place Julian
at the scene of the crime, as well as witnesses who testified that
Julian admitted to them his involvement in the burglary and fire at the
school. Moreover, red fibers found on one of the gates in the
school after the blaze were matched to a red shirt frequently worn by
Julian. Thus, we find that the probative value of the incriminating evidence
against Julian substantially outweighs the danger of unfair prejudice that would result from
the possibility of the jury considering portions of a prior inconsistent statement from
J.H. as substantive evidence. See Evid. R. 403; see also Appleton, 740
N.E.2d at 124; Pickens v. State, 764 N.E.2d 295, 299 (Ind. Ct. App.
2002), trans. denied. In addition, the trial court admonished the jury, subsequent
to J.H.s testimony, that his prior inconsistent statements were not offered for their
truthfulness; rather, they were offered to show that he is not a truthful
person. The trial court also read a similar final instruction. Accordingly,
we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in allowing
the State to present evidence of J.H.s prior inconsistent statements to the jury.
See Sanders, 724 N.E.2d at 1131.
II. Expert Testimony
Next, Julian argues that the trial court erred when it allowed the States
expert witness to testify that the fire in the school was intentionally set.
In particular, Julian contends that the trial court violated Evid. R. 704
(b) when it permitted the States witness, arson investigator Timothy Murray (Murray) of
the State Fire Marshalls Office, to testify that the fire in the school
was intentionally set to cover up evidence of a burglary.
Admission of opinion testimony is within the discretion of the trial court.
Belser v. State, 727 N.E.2d 457, 462 (Ind. Ct. App. 2000), trans. denied.
Pursuant to Indiana Evidence Rule 702(a), the trial court has the discretion
to allow a witness, who is qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill,
experience, training, or education, to testify in the form of an opinion, if
scientific, technical or specialized knowledge will assist the trier-of-fact to understand the evidence
or determine a fact in issue. Id.; Evid. R. 702(a). However,
Indiana Rule of Evidence 704(b) provides, [w]itnesses may not testify to opinions concerning
intent, guilt, or innocence in a criminal case; the truth or falsity of
allegations; whether a witness has testified truthfully; or legal conclusions.
At trial, Murray testified, during direct examination, that the fire was intentionally set,
to which Julian objected and a hearing was held outside the presence of
the jury.
See footnote During this hearing the State elicited testimony from Murray that
qualified him, without objection from the defense, as an expert witness with regard
to arson. The trial court also overruled Julians objection to Murrays testimony
that the fire was intentionally set. When the jury returned, Murray testified
that, in his expert opinion, the fire was intentionally set. Murray explained
that the fire started as a result of molten metal dripping onto the
flammable acrylic carpeting, that arson is frequently used to cover up burglaries, and
that the wires in the control panel for the fire alarm showed very
heavy localized burning that was consistent with the very high heat conditions from
the tip of an oxyacetylene torch.
Consequently, contrary to Julians assertions, Murray merely testified that the fire was set
intentionally, not that Julian intended to set the fire. Therefore, Murray did
not violate Evid. R. 704(b) by testifying as to the intent, guilt, or
innocence of Julian. Likewise, the trial court committed no error in overruling
Julians objection and allowing Murrays testimony into evidence.
See Belser, 727 N.E.2d
at 462.
III. Separation of Witnesses
Julian also contends that the trial court violated its separation of witnesses order
by permitting the State to call Detective Hanna, who remained in the courtroom
as the States representative, to return to the witness stand twice to testify
after hearing the testimony of other witnesses. We find Julians argument unavailing.
Indiana Evidence Rule 615 requires a trial court to grant the request of
a party for a witness separation order except for certain witnesses identified by
the rule as not being subject to exclusion. Fourthman v. State, 658
N.E.2d 88, 90 (Ind. Ct. App. 1995), trans. denied. This rule does
not authorize the exclusion of (1) a party who is a natural person,
or (2) an officer or employee of a party that is not a
natural person designated as its representative by its attorney, or (3) a person
whose presence is shown by a party to be essential to the presentation
of the partys cause. Evid. R. 615.
In the case at bar, the State requested the separation of witnesses on
the first day of trial after eliciting testimony from several witnesses. Julian
objected to the States request, arguing that the State should have requested the
separation prior to trial. The trial court overruled Julians objection and ordered
a separation of witnesses. The State then called Detective Hanna for the
first time to testify only as to the discovery of red fibers on
a security gate inside the school. Detective Hannas testimony tied into the
testimony of one of the States expert witnesses, Trace Evidence Analyst Damon Lettich
of the Indiana State Police Crime Laboratory, who was waiting to testify regarding
his analysis of the red fibers.
Pursuant to exception (2) of Rule 615, Detective Hanna remained in the courtroom
as the States representative subsequent to his initial testimony. The record shows
that the State called Detective Hanna to testify a second time apparently to
familiarize the jury with the layout of the school through the submission of
a diagram of the school and photographic evidence depicting the school after the
fire. Julian made no objections to the States calling Detective Hanna to
testify a second time during the trial. In addition, the State noted
at the end of its direct examination of Detective Hanna that he was
subject to possible recall during the trial. (Tr. p. 173). Julian
made no objection to this condition or to the trial courts response of
[p]ermission granted. (Tr. p. 173).
Detective Hanna was recalled to the witness stand for the third and final
time by the State to discuss how he originally came into contact with
two other witnesses who testified previously. Once again, Julian made no objection
either to the State recalling Detective Hanna or to the States direct examination
of him.
First, we find no error in the trial courts allowing the State to
recall Detective Hanna after ordering the separation of witnesses. Moreover, Julians contention
is deficient in that he fails to enlighten us in what way Detective
Hannas testimony was influenced by that of other witnesses whose testimony he heard.
See Fourthman, 658 N.E.2d at 90. In addition, Julians failure to
object at trial to the State recalling Detective Hanna to testify waives any
possible error on appeal. See Grace v. State, 731 N.E.2d 442, 444
(Ind. 2000), rehg. denied; see also Ingram v. State, 547 N.E.2d 823, 829
(Ind. 1989).
Nonetheless, Julian argues that his failure to object at trial was natural, as
there appears to be no case law or statutory law on this issue.
(Appellants Br. 37). Needless to say, we must point out that
sometimes an error is without precedent in law simply because it is not
error. Such is the case here.
IV. Sentence
A. Standard of Review
Lastly, Julian asserts that he was improperly sentenced. When considering the appropriateness
of the sentence for the crime committed, trial courts should initially focus upon
the presumptive sentence. Rodriguez v. State, 785 N.E.2d 1169, 1179 (Ind. Ct.
App. 2003), trans. denied. The trial court then balances aggravating and mitigating
circumstances and is solely responsible for determining the weight to accord each of
these factors in deciding whether to deviate from the presumptive sentence. Flammer
v. State, 786 N.E.2d 293, 296 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003), trans. denied.
A sentence enhancement will be affirmed, if after due consideration of the trial
courts decision, this court finds that the sentence was appropriate in light of
the nature of the offense and the character of the offender. See
Ind. Appellate Rule 7(B); see also Rodriguez, 785 N.E.2d at 1174.
B. Balancing of Aggravating and Mitigating Factors
The crimes of which Julian was convicted carried the following possible sentences:
for Count I, arson, a Class B felony, [a] person who commits a
Class B felony shall be imprisoned for a fixed term of ten (10)
years, with not more than ten (10) years added for aggravating circumstances or
not more than four (4) years subtracted for mitigating circumstances; for Count II,
burglary, a Class C felony, [a] person who commits a Class C felony
shall be imprisoned for a fixed term of four (4) years, with not
more than four (4) years added for aggravating circumstances or not more than
two (2) years subtracted for mitigating circumstances; and for Count III, attempted theft,
a Class D felony, [a] person who commits a Class D felony shall
be imprisoned for a fixed term of one and one-half years, with not
more than one and one-half years added for aggravating circumstances or not more
than one year subtracted for mitigating circumstances. I.C. §§ 35-50-2-5; 35-50-2-6; and
35-50-2-7.
In support of its sentence, the trial court found multiple aggravating factors, including:
(1) Julians prior criminal history as a juvenile; (2) that earlier attempts to
rehabilitate Julian have been unsuccessful; (3) the economical and logistic impact on the
community of Frankton; and (4) that Julian failed to seek help to mitigate
damages once the fire was started. The trial court specifically declined to accept
Julians proposed mitigating factors. As a result, the trial court sentenced Julian
to an enhanced sentence of eighteen years on Count I, which is the
presumptive ten years plus eight years for aggravating circumstances, and suspended three of
those years to probation for an executed sentence of fifteen years for the
arson conviction. The trial court then sentenced Julian to the presumptive sentence
plus two years for a total of six years executed on Count II,
and ordered the sentence for Count II to run concurrent with that of
Count I. Julian also received the maximum sentence of three years for
Count III; the trial court also ordered the sentence for Count III with
run concurrent to that of Count I. Thus, Julian received an aggregate,
executed sentence of fifteen years in the Department of Correction.
Julian argues that the trial court failed to consider his proffered mitigating circumstances.
Julian maintains that this failure results in his sentence being inappropriate.
See footnote
We disagree.
During the sentencing hearing, defense counsel asserted to the trial court that Julians
only felony conviction occurred while he was a juvenile. Defense counsel then
argued that the trial court should consider the following as mitigating factors:
(1) Julians work history; and (2) his good character; Julian also directed the
trial courts attention to two statutory considerations pursuant to I.C. § 35-38-1-7.1(c) that
the trial court may determine are mitigating factors: (1) Julian is likely
to respond affirmatively to probation or short term imprisonment; and (2) Julians character
and attitude indicate that he is unlikely to commit another crime.
However, it is the sole discretion of the trial court to determine the
weight accorded any aggravating or mitigating factors.
Simms v. State, 791 N.E.2d
225, 233 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003). When a defendant alleges that the
trial court failed to identify or find a mitigating factor during sentencing, the
defendant must establish that the mitigating evidence is both significant and clearly supported
by the record. Firestone v. State, 774 N.E.2d 109, 114 (Ind. Ct.
App. 2002). Trial courts are not required to include within a sentencing
statement that it considered all proffered mitigating circumstances, only those that are significant.
Id. at 115.
Here, the trial court specifically considered the proffered mitigating circumstances in its sentencing
statement as follows:
[Julian] had several exposures to the [j]uvenile court system and was anointed with
the opportunity of changing his behavior and his lifestyle through several programs and
rehabilitation programs that they offered and it would appear that those failed because
of [Julians] subsequent and malevolent behavior and resulting in this incident of the
fire at the Frankton High School. Therefore, the [c]ourt finds that [this]
particular aggravating circumstance would overrule the proposed mitigating circumstances . . . because
despite the fact he was given several opportunities to rehabilitate, he never did
and so hes proven that that mitigator wouldnt. . .is not a valid
mitigator in this case.
(Tr. pp. 618-9). Thus, the trial court properly considered the proffered mitigating
factors and decided against accepting them. See Firestone, 774 N.E.2d at 115.
Accordingly, we find no abuse of discretion in the trial courts balancing
of the aggravating and mitigating factors. Davies v. State, 758 N.E.2d 981,
987 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001), trans. denied.
Nevertheless, Julian contends that his sentence was inappropriately enhanced. In addition to
reviewing the traditional balancing of aggravating and mitigating circumstances, we review the sentence
to determine whether it is appropriate considering the nature of the offense and
the character of the offender. See App. R. 7(B); Rodriguez, 785
N.E.2d at 1174. In considering the nature of the offense, the maximum
enhancement permitted by law should be reserved for the very worst offenses and
offenders. See Borton v. State, 759 N.E.2d 641, 648 (Ind. Ct. App.
2001), trans. denied. At sentencing, the trial court found, once the fire
was begun, Julian and his two accomplices fled the scene as quickly as
they could to absolve themselves of any responsibility. (Tr. p. 620).
The result was approximately $1.4 million in damage to the high school both
in structural damage and in relocating more than one thousand students during the
school year to other schools to continue their education. These facts justify
the trial courts imposition of an enhanced sentence in light of the nature
of the offense. See App. R. 7(B); Rodriguez, 785 N.E.2d at 1174.
When reviewing whether a defendant was properly sentenced, we also review the sentence
to assure that it is proportionate to the character of the offender.
Borton, 759 N.E.2d at 648. The record reflects that Julian had a
criminal history as a juvenile and, thus far, seems to have resisted any
efforts to modify his criminal behavior. Evidence presented at trial showed that
Julian participated in a marijuana deal in the school parking lot shortly before
the arson occurred, and Detective Hanna testified that, when he questioned Julian during
his investigation there was a distinct smell of marijuana about his person.
Moreover, although Julian received enhanced sentences on all three charges, the trial court
ordered the sentences to run concurrent with Count I; therefore, his aggregate executed
sentence was far from the maximum sentence he could have received. Thus,
we find that the facts justify the trial courts imposition of an enhanced
sentence in light of the character of the offender. See App. R.
7(B). Consequently, after due consideration of the trial courts sentencing decision, we
find that Julians sentence was not inappropriate in light of the nature of
the offense and the character of the offender. See App. R. 7(B);
see Rodriguez, 785 N.E.2d at 1174.
CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing, we conclude: (1) that any error committed by
the trial court in allowing the State to impeach its own witness was
harmless; (2) the trial court committed no error in allowing States witness Murray
to testify that the fire in the school was intentionally set; (3) the
trial court did not violate its separation of witnesses order by permitting the
State to recall its representative, Detective Hanna, to testify on two occasions after
hearing the testimony of other witnesses; and (4) the trial court properly sentenced
Julian.
Affirmed.
KIRSCH, C.J., and NAJAM, J., concur.
Footnote: In his Appellants Brief, Julian seems to challenge the sufficiency of his
arson conviction tangentially to his Evid. R. 704(b) argument. However, this argument
is undeveloped and not in conformance to Ind. Appellate Rule 46(A)(8)(a) regarding citation
to authority and cogent argument. Accordingly, if it was Julians intent to
raise a sufficiency issue on appeal, we find it waived. See App.
R. 46(A)(8)(a).
Footnote:
In his Appellants Brief, Julian actually argues that his sentence is manifestly
unreasonable. (Appellants Br. p. 33). However, he correctly notes that this
court reviews sentencing decisions under App. R. 7(B), which provides, [t]he Court may
revise a sentence authorized by statute if, after due consideration of the trial
courts decision, the Court finds that the sentence is inappropriate in light of
the nature of the offense and the character of the offender. Accordingly,
we have restated Julians issue in the correct format by substituting inappropriate for
manifestly unreasonable.