Ruth v. State

Stephen Ruth appeals his convictions of multiple counts of extortion and solicitation. He raises several points on appeal, but we find merit only in his contention that the reasons given by the trial court in support of his departure sentence are invalid.

In case number 89-4339, Ruth was convicted of two counts of extortion, and in case number 90-1485, he was convicted of three counts of solicitation. Both cases were *102scored on the same guidelines seoresheet, resulting in a permitted sentencing range of seven to seventeen years’ imprisonment. In case number 90-1485, the trial court sentenced…