Whitaker v. State

Appellant was convicted of attempted murder in the second degree with a deadly weapon. At appellant’s sentencing hearing, the trial court determined that appellant’s unscored juvenile convictions and his escalating pattern of criminal activity were valid reasons for departure from the sentencing guidelines. The trial court sentenced appellant to life imprisonment. Five days later, the trial court entered a written order of aggravation, specifically outlining its reasons for departure.

While we find no merit in appellant’s other arguments, appellant correctly asserts that his sentence must be…