State of Delaware v. Weidow. ( 2015 )

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
IN AND FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY
STATE OF DELAWARE, )
)
v. ) ID No. 0502002953
)
JING P. WEIDOW, )
Defendant. )
Date Submitted: February 18, 2015
Date Decided: March 11, 2015
ORDER DENYING DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO VACATE
PROBATIONARY ASPECT OF SENTENCE
Upon consideration of the Motion to Vacate Probationary Aspect of
Sentence filed by Jing P. Weidow (“Weidow”); Superior Court Criminal Rule 35;
the facts, arguments and legal authorities set forth in Weidow’s motion; the State’s
Response in opposition thereto; applicable law; and the entire record in this case:
1. In the early morning hours of February 2, 2005, Weidow murdered Mary
Anderson by stabbing her. Weidow confessed to the killing. After being charged
and indicted for Murder First Degree, Weidow pled guilty to a reduced charge of
Murder Second Degree and related offenses. In June 2006, the Court sentenced
Weidow to an aggregate 30 years of incarceration followed by descending levels of
supervision.
2. Weidow filed a timely motion for a reduction of sentence in August
2006. The Court did not rule on the motion. On April 4, 2013, Weidow filed a
Renewed Motion for Reduction of Sentence, which the Court denied on September
12, 2013.
3. Weidow has now filed a motion requesting that the Court vacate the
probationary portion of her sentence. Weidow claims that the probationary terms
of her sentence conflict with federal immigration law because Weidow, a citizen of
China, faces deportation upon release from incarceration.
4. Pursuant to Criminal Rule 35(b), the Court may reduce a sentence of
imprisonment on a motion made within 90 days after imposition of the sentence.1
The intent of Rule 35(b) has historically been to provide a reasonable period for
the Court to consider alteration of its sentencing judgments. 2 Where a motion for
reduction of sentence is filed, under Rule 35(b), within 90 days of sentencing, the
Court has broad discretion to decide if it should alter its judgment. 3 “The reason
for such a rule is to give a sentencing judge a second chance to consider whether
the initial sentence is appropriate.” 4
5. Weidow filed the pending Rule 35 Motion more than 90 days after
imposition of the sentence. Generally, the Court will only consider an untimely
application only in “extraordinary circumstances,” or pursuant to 11 Del. C. §
1
Super. Ct. Crim. R. 35(b).
2
Johnson v. State, 234 A.2d 447, 448 (Del. 1967) (per curiam).
3
Hewett v. State, 2014 WL 5020251, at *1 (Del. Oct. 7, 2014).
4
State v. Reed, 2014 WL 7148921, at *2 (Del. Super. Dec. 16, 2014) (citation omitted).
2
4217. 5 However, because Weidow’s Rule 35 Motion seeks only to modify the
Level IV probationary portion of her sentence it is not subject to this procedural
time-bar. 6 Nonetheless, the Court finds Weidow’s Rule 35 Motion procedurally
barred due to its repetitive nature.
6. Pursuant to Rule 35(b) “[t]he court will not consider repetitive requests for
reduction of sentence.” 7 This is an unforgiving procedural requirement under Rule
35(b).8 As the Superior Court explained recently in State v. Reed, “Unlike the 90-
day jurisdictional limit with its ‘extraordinary circumstances’ exception, the bar to
repetitive motions has no exception. Instead, this bar is absolute and flatly
‘prohibits repetitive requests for reduction of sentence.’” 9
7. Weidow has filed several Rule 35 motions. After her first motion,
Weidow filed a renewed Rule 35 motion in April 2013, which the Court denied in
September 2013. A year later, in September 2014, Weidow filed the pending Rule
35 motion. In the 2013 Rule 35 Motion, Weidow argued for sentence modification
on the grounds that Weidow faces deportation upon release from incarceration and
therefore is not a threat to the community. Weidow’s 2013 Rule 35 Motion also
5
Super. Ct. Crim. R. 35(b).
6
See Iverson v. State, 977 A.2d 898 (Del. 2009) (Table) (concluding that Rule 35(b) permits a
defendant to seek modification of partial confinement or probation at any time).
7
Super. Ct. Crim. R. 35(b) (emphasis added).
8
State v. Reed, 2014 WL 7148921, at *2-3 (Del. Super. Dec. 16, 2014).
9
Id. at *3 (citing Thomas v. State, 2002 WL 31681804, at *1 (Del. Nov. 25, 2002); Jenkins v.
State, 2008 WL 2721536, at *1 (Del. July 14, 2008); Morrison v. State, 2004 WL 716773, at *2
(Del. Mar. 24, 2004); Duffy v. State, 1998 WL 985332, at *1 (Del. Nov. 12, 1998).
3
highlighted her educational advancements and good behavior achievements while
incarcerated. Likewise, the pending Rule 35 Motion reiterates Weidow’s
deportation concerns and highlights her educational and behavioral achievements
while incarcerated. Further, Weidow’s Rule 35 motions express remorse.
However, remorse and positive behavior while incarcerated are not basis to modify
or reduce a sentence that was appropriate at the time of sentencing. 10 The Court
finds Weidow’s pending Rule 35 Motion repetitive both in form and substance and
therefore barred without exception.
8. Finally, maintaining the probationary portion of Weidow’s sentence
comports with 11 Del. C. § 4204(l), which requires the Court to include “a period
of custodial supervision at either Level IV, III or II for a period of not less than 6
months . . . .” While the Court has wide discretion to reduce a sentence upon a
timely Rule 35(b) application, the Court has no authority to reduce or suspend the
mandatory portion of any substantive minimum sentence. 11
10
DeShields v. State, 2012 WL 1072298, at *1 (Del. Mar. 30, 2012); State v. Liket, 2002 WL
31133101, at *2 (Del. Super. Sept. 25, 2002) (explaining that exemplary conduct or successful
rehabilitation during incarceration does not qualify as “extraordinary circumstances” and relief
for such achievements is more properly addressed to the parole board).
11
State v. Sturgis, 947 A.2d 1087, 1092 (Del. 2008) (explaining that Rule 35(b) “provides no
authority for a reduction or suspension of the mandatory portion of a substantive statutory
minimum sentence.”).
4
NOW, THEREFORE, on this 11th day of March, 2015, Jing P.
Weidow’s Motion to Vacate Probationary Aspect of Sentence is hereby
DENIED.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Andrea L. Rocanelli
____________________________________
The Honorable Andrea L. Rocanelli
5