Commonwealth v. Plasse

**199 "Few, perhaps no, judicial responsibilities are more difficult than sentencing. The task is usually undertaken by trial judges who seek with diligence and professionalism to take account of the human existence of the offender and the just demands of a wronged society." Commonwealth v. Rodriguez , 461 Mass. 256 , 259, 962 N.E.2d 711 (2012), quoting Graham v. Florida , 560 U.S. 48 , 77, 130 S.Ct. 2011 , 176 L.Ed.2d 825 (2010). While the exercise of this "quintessential judicial power" is never an easy task, Rodriguez , supra at 266, 962 N.E.2d 711 , it is made **200 all the more difficult…