Arnold v. State

Dillard, Judge.

In 1999, Bernard Arnold, Sr., pleaded guilty to charges of kidnapping, rape, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and received a sentence of 15 years in prison. After a successful habeas challenge, Arnold withdrew his plea and was granted a jury trial. The jury acquitted Arnold of the rape and possession charges, but convicted him on one count of kidnapping, after which the trial court imposed a twenty-year sentence. On appeal, Arnold argues that (1) his post-trial sentence constitutes an unconstitutionally vindictive punishment because it is greater…