State v. Gaines

This criminal appeal by Troy Donell Gaines1 arises from the Fourth Judicial District Court, Ouachita Parish, State of Louisiana. Following a jury trial, Gaines was convicted of manslaughter, in violation of La. R.S. 14:31, and subsequently adjudicated a second-felony habitual offender and sentenced to 50 years at hard labor without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence. Gaines filed a motion to reconsider sentence, which was denied by the trial court. On appeal, Gaines challenges the imposed habitual offender sentence, claiming it is excessive. For the following reasons,…