State v. Blackson

JLjBrandon Deshon Blaekson was convicted by the Fourth Judicial District Court, Parish of Ouachita, State of Louisiana, of purse snatching in violation of La. R.S. 14:65.1 and was sentenced to 20 years’ hard labor. Blaekson now appeals. For the following reasons we affirm Blackson’s conviction, vacate his sentence, and remand this matter to the trial court for resentencing with instructions to impose a sentence no greater than 12 years at hard labor.

FACTS

On August 2, 2009, 85-year-old Joe Combs was shopping at a Family Dollar store when a young man approached him and stole his wallet,…