State v. Blakney

The State and Blakney requested, and the trial court imposed, a sentence we now know was impermissible under law. See State v. Jacobs, 393 S.C. 584, 588-89, 713 S.E.2d 621, 623-24 (2011) (holding a sentencing court has no power to suspend the minimum fifteen year sentence for burglary in the first degree because it carries a maximum sentence of life in prison). The law does not provide this court a clear resolution for the dispute that has arisen as to the execution of that sentence. The majority has thoroughly explained its proposed resolution, and I agree with the majority’s interpretation…