Neal v. State

Defendant (Appellant) was convicted in a trial by jury of armed felony (robbery), Ind. Code § 35-12-1-1 (Burns 1975) and kidnapping, Ind. Code § 35-1-55-1 (Burns (1975). He was sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment upon the robbery charge and to imprisonment for life upon the kidnapping charge. His direct appeal to this Court presents two issues:(1) Whether the evidence was sufficient to sustain the verdict upon the kidnapping charge.(2) Whether the penalty of life imprisonment provided by the kidnapping statute is constitutionally permissible.

No issue is present with reference to the…