State v. Spears

Yolanda M. Spears appeals from the judgment of conviction, following her Alford 1 plea, for second-degree intentional homicide, and from the order denying her motion for postconviction relief. Spears argues that the sentencing court erred in ruling that her victim's criminal record was irrelevant to sentencing. We agree. Accordingly, while we affirm the judgment of conviction, we reverse the trial court's postconviction order and remand for resentencing.

On the night of July 14, 1995, Spears and three Mends, Necole Winters, Latoya Austin, and Tanya Austin, were celebrating Latoya's birthday at…