State v. Clarke

¶[1 After two juries convicted John Mark Clarke of two counts of second degree rape, the sentencing court imposed a maximum sentence of life imprisonment as required by statute. The sentencing court also imposed an “exceptional minimum sentence,” which is a sentence in excess of the standard sentence range for the crimes charged, based on two aggravating factors. Clarke challenges the constitutionality of his exceptional minimum sentence under Blakely v. Washington, 542 U.S. 296, 124 S. *884Ct. 2531, 159 L. Ed. 2d 403 (2004). We hold that Blakely does not apply to an exceptional minimum sentence…