1. HaroldSowards
CJ 322, T/Th 9:30
State v. Chaney
477 P.2d441 (Alaska 1970)
1. Facts
DonaldChaneyisan unmarriedmanwhoisa highschool dropout,withnopriorcriminal
record,no drug use and isonlya social drinker.
He wascharged ontwo countsof forcible rape andone countof robbery
In the presentence reportthe Divisionof Correctionsrecommendedasentence withno
parole
The assistantDA recommendeda7 yearsentence withtwosuspendedsentencesfor
the rapesalong witha consecutive 5yearsentence forthe robberywithapossible
parole
Duringthe trial,the Divisionof Correctionswantedatwoyearsentence foreachrape
witha two yearsuspendedsentenceforthe robbery
The trial court sentencedChaneytoa one yearimprisonmentwithaparole option
Trial court recommendedaminimumsecurityfacilityaswell
State appeals
AlaskaSupreme Courtcalledthe sentence toolenientandcalledforalongersentence
2. Issues
Was the sentence toolenientforthe crimescommitted?
Was a one yearconcurrentsentence appropriate forthiscase,whennocredibilitywas
acknowledgedforChaney’sstatement?
DidChaneyshowany remorse forhiscrime?
Didthe judge showanyfavoritisminthe decisionmakingprocess?
Didthe sentence meetthe goal of reaffirmingsocietal norms?
3. Holds
Yes,remanded
No,remanded
No
Yes
No,remanded
4. Reasoning
The AlaskanSupreme Courtwantedtoshow that forcible rape androbberyare seriouscrimes
and no one shouldbe shownanyfavoritismfortheirstatusinthe world.Since Chaneyshowed
no remorse inhisactionsandsince there wasno credible statementregardingthe incidentfrom
