Layland v. State

OPINION

ERWIN, Justice.

In this appeal we are asked to determine whether the superior court was “clearly mistaken” 1 in imposing a sentence of eight years with one-third to be served without the possibility of parole. The trial court entered this sentence after appellant Fred Layland was found guilty by a jury of manslaughter.

On November 17, 1973, Layland, while under the influence of an intoxicating beverage, drove his automobile across the center line on the Glen Highway near Anchorage, Alaska. Layland’s automobile collided with another vehicle carrying three young men— one of the occupants…