Matthews v. State

Christopher Wayne Matthews, the appellant, pleaded guilty to, and was convicted of, robbery in the first degree. He was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment pursuant to Ala. Code 1975, § 13A-5-6(a)(4), the firearms enhancement provision, which mandates the imposition of a sentence of "not less than 20 years" upon conviction of "a Class A felony in which a firearm or deadly weapon was used or attempted to be used." On this direct appeal from that conviction, the appellant contends that this enhancement provision was inapplicable in his case because, he says, he made a factual showing that he…