Johnson v. State ( 2015 )

REPORTED
IN THE COURT OF SPECIAL APPEALS
OF MARYLAND
No. 425
September Term, 2014
JARMAL JOHNSON
v.
STATE OF MARYLAND
Meredith,
Berger,
Thieme, Raymond G., Jr.
(Retired, Specially Assigned),
JJ.
Opinion by Berger, J.
Filed: July 1, 2015
Jarmal Johnson, appellant, appeals from the denial, by the Circuit Court for Baltimore
City, of his motion to revise his sentences under Md. Rule 4-345(b) due to fraud, mistake,
or irregularity. For the reasons stated herein, we affirm.
FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS
In March 1992, police officers executed a search and seizure warrant at an apartment
on Baker Street in Baltimore City. When the officers entered the premises, Johnson fired an
automatic weapon in their direction. After firing several rounds, Johnson’s gun jammed. His
attempts to clear the jam were unsuccessful, yet Johnson refused to obey a command to put
the gun down until the officers fired shots near his feet.
The police seized large amounts of heroin and cocaine from the apartment. Based on
this incident, in one indictment (case number 192099061), Johnson was charged with
attempted murder, common law assault, unlawful wearing, carrying, or transporting a
handgun, and use of a handgun in the commission of a felony or crime of violence. In
another indictment (case number 192099071), Johnson was charged with various controlled
dangerous substance (“CDS”) offenses.
In September 1992, following a jury trial on the above referenced charges, in case
number 192099061 Johnson was acquitted of attempted murder, but found guilty of one
count of assault with intent to murder, common law assault, and the two handgun offenses.
In case number 192099071, the jury found Johnson guilty of possession of heroin with intent
to distribute, possession of heroin, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession
of cocaine, conspiracy to possess heroin with intent to distribute, conspiracy to possess
cocaine with intent to distribute, and wearing, carrying, and transporting a firearm in relation
to drug trafficking.
The following month, in an unrelated case (case number 192092011), another jury
sitting in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City convicted Johnson of second-degree murder
and the use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. The same judge presided
over both trials.
On October 28, 1992, Johnson was sentenced in all three cases. In case number
192099061, the court imposed a sentence of thirty years’ imprisonment for assault with intent
to murder and a consecutive twenty years for use of a handgun in the commission of a felony
or crime of violence. The remaining convictions in that case merged for sentencing purposes.
In case number 192099071, Johnson was sentenced to twenty years’ of imprisonment
for the drug trafficking firearm offense, to run concurrently with the handgun sentence
imposed in case number 192099061; sentenced to twenty years for possession of heroin with
intent to distribute, to run consecutive to the handgun sentence imposed in case number
192099061; sentenced to twenty years for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, to
run consecutive to the sentence for possession of heroin with intent to distribute; and
sentenced to twenty years for the conspiracy counts (which the court merged), to run
consecutive to the sentence for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
In case number 192092011, Johnson was sentenced to thirty years’ of imprisonment
for second-degree murder, to run consecutive to all the other sentences imposed, and to
2
twenty years for the handgun conviction, to run consecutive to the sentence for second-
degree murder. The total aggregate sentence was 160 years of imprisonment.
In 2008, Johnson filed a motion to correct an illegal sentence under Md. Rule 4-345(a)
claiming that his sentence for assault with intent to murder was illegal because that specific
offense was not included in the indictment. Ultimately, the Court of Appeals agreed with
Johnson and vacated his conviction and sentence for assault with intent to murder. Johnson
v. State, 427 Md. 356, 380 (2012). The Court refused, however, to also vacate Johnson’s
conviction for the use of a handgun in the commission of a felony or crime of violence,
observing that “the record shows the factual and legal predicate” for that offense. Id.
In 2014, Johnson filed a pro se motion, pursuant to Md. Rule 4-345(b), requesting that
the circuit court exercise it revisory power over his sentences due to fraud, mistake, or
irregularity.1 Specifically, he claimed that his “trial and decision making was impaired” by
the “illegal conviction” for assault with intent to murder and that the sentencing court
impermissibly relied upon that offense in imposing the balance of his sentences. Johnson
requested a new trial, a new sentencing hearing, and “new plea agreement offer.” The circuit
court denied the motion, prompting this appeal.
1
Maryland Rule 4-345(b) provides: “The court has revisory power over a sentence in
the case of fraud, mistake, or irregularity.”
3
DISCUSSION
I.
The State’s Motion to Dismiss
The State initially asserts that the denial of Johnson’s motion to revise his sentences
under Rule 4-345(b) is not an appealable order and, therefore, it moves to dismiss this appeal.
Specifically, the State contends that a motion to revise a sentence on the ground of fraud,
mistake, or irregularity “has a statutory basis” in Md. Code (1974, 2013 Repl. Vol.), § 6-408
of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article (“CJP”). Further, Md. Code (2001, 2008
Repl. Vol., 2014 Supp.), § 7-107(b)(1) of the Criminal Procedure Article (“CP”), which is
part of the Uniform Postconviction Procedure Act, bars an appeal in “a case in which a
person challenges the validity of confinement under a sentence of imprisonment . . . by
invoking a common law or statutory remedy other than” the Postconviction Procedure Act.
Therefore, the State maintains that “a defendant may appeal from the denial of a claim of
‘fraud, mistake, or irregularity’ in his sentence only if raised under” that Act. As a result,
according to the State, because Johnson did not pursue his claim of “fraud, mistake, or
irregularity” in a post-conviction proceeding, the instant appeal is barred by the
Postconviction Procedure Act. We disagree.
Contrary to the State’s assertion, the subsection of the rule invoked by appellant, Rule
4-345(b), is not a “statutory remedy.” The statute cited by the State as a “source” of Rule
4-345(b), that is, CJP § 6-408, was not even enacted until years after the Maryland Rules
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provided that a court retains revisory power over criminal judgments in case of fraud,
mistake, or irregularity. Whereas CJP § 6-408 was first enacted in 1977,2 see 1977 Md.
Laws, ch. 271 at 1940-41, long before then, the Maryland Rules pertaining to criminal cases
contained a similar provision:3
For a period of ninety (90) days after the imposition of a
sentence, or within ninety (90) days after receipt by the court of
a mandate issued by the Court of Appeals upon affirmance of
the judgment or dismissal of appeal, or thereafter, pursuant to
motion filed within such period, the court shall have revisory
power and control over the judgment or other judicial act
forming part of the proceedings. The court may, pursuant to this
section, modify or reduce, but shall not increase the length of a
sentence. After the expiration of such period, the court shall
have revisory power and control only in case of fraud, mistake
or irregularity.
2
As originally enacted, Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, § 6-408, provided:
For a period of 30 days after the entry of a judgment, or
thereafter pursuant to motion filed within that period, the court
has revisory power and control over the judgment. After the
expiration of that period the court has revisory power and
control over the judgment only in case of fraud, mistake,
irregularity, or failure of an employee of the court or of the
clerk’s office to perform a duty required by statute or rule.
The statute has remained in effect ever since without change. It is substantially similar to
Maryland Rule 2-535(a)-(b), the rule concerning a court’s revisory power over a civil
judgment.
3
The civil provision was Rule 625, which long predated CJP § 6-408. Rule 625
(1957) provided in part: “After the expiration of such period [thirty days after the entry of
a judgment, or thereafter pursuant to a motion filed within such period,] the court shall have
revisory power and control over such judgment, only in case of fraud, mistake or
irregularity.”
5
Md. Rule 764 b (1961).
It is clear, therefore, that CJP § 6-408 was not the “source” of a court’s revisory power
over a judgment, in either a criminal or a civil case. In Bereska v. State, 194 Md. App. 664,
680-81 (2010), we explained that the source of a court’s revisory power over a judgment was
its “inherent” power to do so, a power which, at common law, “terminated at the end of the
term in which the particular judgment was entered.” Id. at 682. Although the time during
which a circuit court retains revisory power over its judgments has since been amended by
rule, id. at 681-82, the source of a court’s revisory power has not changed.
In State v. Kanaras, 357 Md. 170 (1999), the State presented a similar argument in
a related context in an appeal taken from the denial of a motion to correct an illegal sentence.
The Court of Appeals expressly rejected the State’s argument, holding that:
“[A] motion to correct an illegal sentence is not a ‘statutory’
remedy. Statutes are enacted by the General Assembly of
Maryland. The Maryland Rules are adopted by the Court of
Appeals. As the Wilson[4] court noted, the Maryland
Constitution does provide that rules adopted by the Court ‘shall
have the force of law until rescinded, changed or modified by
the Court of Appeals or otherwise by law.’ Maryland
Constitution, Art. IV, § 18(a). Nonetheless, the fact that the
Maryland Rules have the force of law does not mean that a rule
is a statute.”
Id. at 183 (quoting Valentine v. State, 305 Md. 108, 123 (1985) (Eldridge, J., dissenting)).
4
Wilson v. State, 227 Md. 99 (1961), overruled by State v. Kanaras, 357 Md. 170
(1999).
6
The Court further explained that “the language of the Post Conviction Procedure Act
obviously refers to separate common law or statutory causes of action, such as habeas corpus
or coram nobis actions which are separate civil actions.” Id. Observing that it is “doubtful”
that the Court’s rule-making authority “would extend to the creation of a separate cause of
action” and that, in any event, “there is no indication in the language or history of Rule 4-345
that the court intended to create a separate cause of action,” the Court concluded that a
motion to correct an illegal sentence “is part of the same criminal proceeding and not a
wholly independent action.” Id. Consequently, the Kanaras Court held that the
Postconviction Procedure Act “does not preclude an appeal from a circuit court’s ruling
under Rule 4-345.” Id. at 184.
The State relies upon Hoile v. State, 404 Md. 591 (2008), in further support of its
contention that the denial of a motion, under Rule 4-345(b), is not appealable. We disagree.
Indeed, as the State concedes, there is language in Hoile suggesting that an appeal would lie
from the denial of a Rule 4-345(b) motion. See Hoile, 404 Md. at 615 (“There is much
caselaw holding that the denial of a motion to modify a sentence, unless tainted by
illegality, fraud, or duress, is not appealable.”) (emphasis added).
In Hoile, the Court of Appeals considered whether an appeal would lie from the denial
of a motion to modify a sentence, under Rule 4-345(e), which permits a sentencing court to
revise a sentence, “[u]pon a motion filed within 90 days after [its] imposition,” except that
“it may not revise the sentence after the expiration of five years from the date the sentence
7
originally was imposed on the defendant and it may not increase the sentence.” Md. Rule
4-345(e)(1). In Kanaras, the Court observed that it had surveyed the landscape of
inconsistent and conflicting decisions concerning the appealability of motions under Rule
4-345(a) and had ultimately overruled those decisions that had interpreted the Postconviction
Procedure Act as categorically barring appeals from the denial of such motions. In doing so,
the Court in Kanaras rejected the older view that a Rule 4-345(a) motion be deemed a
“statutory remedy.” Hoile, 404 Md. at 617; Kanaras, 357 Md. at 183-84.
Because Kanaras analyzed but did not overrule one of those older decisions,
Costello v. State, 237 Md. 464 (1965), the Hoile Court concluded that Costello remains
“good law,” despite the fact that Costello “largely” relied upon Wilson v. State, 227 Md. 99
(1961), one of the decisions expressly overruled by Kanaras. Hoile, 404 Md. at 617.
Interpreting Costello as drawing a distinction between “motions to correct a sentence based
upon an error of law and motions to reconsider sentence that are entirely committed to a
court’s discretion,” the Court of Appeals held that a Rule 4-345(e) motion falls entirely
within the trial court’s discretion and that the denial of such a motion is, therefore,
unappealable. Hoile, 404 Md. at 617-18.
The State now relies upon Costello and insists that the present appeal is barred by the
Postconviction Procedure Act. This requires us to briefly consider Costello. In that case,
Costello appealed from the denial of a motion to modify or reduce his 360-day sentence for
assault, on the ground that it had been “imposed in violation of constitutional and legal
8
mandates.” Costello argued that an Assistant State’s Attorney, who had previously
represented Costello’s wife in an unrelated case, had given the sentencing court information
that reflected adversely upon Costello. Costello, 237 Md. at 467-68. The State moved to
dismiss the appeal, for two reasons. The State contended that a sentence “within the limits
prescribed by law . . . ordinarily may not be reviewed on appeal,” and therefore, there was
no colorable claim that a 360-day sentence for assault “constituted cruel and unusual
punishment.” The State further argued that the Postconviction Procedure Act bars an appeal
from the denial of a motion to modify or reduce a sentence. Id. at 469-70. The Court, citing
Wilson, agreed with the latter contention, but it characterized Costello’s argument as a due
process challenge to the procedures followed by the sentencing court, and, “to avoid the
delay and expense of” a postconviction challenge raising the same claim, it addressed the
merits of that claim but ultimately rejected it. Id. at 470, 474.
In essence, the State interprets Hoile and Costello as holding that a claim invoking
Rule 4-345(b) alleging fraud, mistake, or irregularity in the imposition of a sentence, may
only be brought under the Postconviction Procedure Act. We reject that interpretation,
because it rests squarely upon a rationale, expressed in Wilson, that has been subsequently
repudiated by the Court of Appeals in Kanaras. See Bereska, supra, 194 Md. App. at 692
(observing that a Rule 4-345(b) motion is, like a Rule 4-345(a) motion to correct an illegal
sentence, “part of the same criminal proceeding and not a wholly independent action”)
(quoting Kanaras, 357 Md. at 183). Rather, we interpret Hoile as permitting the instant
9
appeal, because the question of whether a sentence has been imposed based upon fraud,
mistake or irregularity is a mixed question of fact and law rather than an issue that turns on
the application of judicial discretion. Consequently, according to Hoile, it is only an appeal
from the denial of a motion “entirely” within a sentencing court’s discretion that is barred.
Hoile, 404 Md. at 617-18.
Accordingly, we deny the State’s motion to dismiss this appeal.
II.
The Merits
Before addressing the contentions, we pause to summarize pertinent portions of the
sentencing proceeding.
On October 28, 1992, Johnson appeared in court for sentencing in all three cases.
Defense counsel, after acknowledging that Johnson was facing an aggregate total sentence
of 180 years, urged the court to show leniency.
[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Certainly these are his first two
crimes of violence. And although I don’t wish to sound as if
I’m trying ex post facto to excuse his behavior, I must point out
that the jury sat and heard all the testimony put on by the State
and all the evidence and realized that perhaps there is some sort
of mitigation for the use of a firearm at 11:10 in the evening at
630 Baker Street.
I mean the simple fact is, Your Honor, if I was in that kind of
neighborhood on a more regular basis, you can be sure that
there’d be a weapon in my armpit here. There is just no way in
the world you are going to be traveling those kinds of streets
unarmed. It is a truly terrifying place to be and I think that’s the
reason the jury found my client not guilty of four counts of
10
attempt[ed] murder [of the police officers conducting the drug
raid].
I think that’s why the jury only returned one count of assault
with intent [to murder]. As to the CDS, I mean, I don’t think
there’s any question he’s in the apartment and I, from the very
outset, had bought into the fact that he was going to be
convicted of that at trial, that a jury would certainly be able to
find a suitable nexus between him and narcotics.
* * *
THE COURT: In a legal sense, it would have been a different
result is this were a court trial; do you understand? But it
wasn’t. It was a jury trial and you were able, through your
argument, to persuade the jury that some of these charges did
not apply, and that was accurate. And I think the jury did a good
job, to with what they had.
[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: What I’m asking from the Court - -
THE COURT: I’m sorry, but what I’m trying to tell you, the
facts that were available to me when you first came into my
chambers with the State are a lot different - - although I never
bind myself to - - to what was exposed at trial.
I mean, what he actually did, according to the testimony of
Officer Melvin Russell was actually try to clear his gun, to - - I
don’t know if it’s the right word - - but to place in the chamber
- - what’s that breech?
[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Yes.
THE COURT: I’m not quite sure. But there was a bullet that
had jammed his gun. He was trying to un-jam it, if that’s the
right word.
[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Yes.
11
THE COURT: And Detective Russell had to shoot once or
twice in the direction of the Defendant, yelling to him, “Drop
the your gun,” to get him to drop it.
Now, he wasn’t just trying to unload his gun. That gun was
pointed at Officer Russell. Officer Russell believed that if that
gun were armed properly, he would have been shot and I think
Officer Russell was justified in the conclusions that he drew.
Very serious case. Very serious.
[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: And I haven’t suggested otherwise,
Your Honor. What I’m pointing out is that there are some
mitigative - -
THE COURT: I can’t think of any. I’m waiting for you to tell
me. But I can’t think of any.
* * *
My personal opinion, although that and 25 cents, or I guess 60
cents, will buy a cup of coffee. The reason there was not first
degree was that the jury did not know why it happened. Could
not link any - - nobody knew. You understand?
And did not accept the fact that in a legal sense that the time
between individual shots is the time in which a willful,
premeditated and deliberate intention to kill the individual could
be formed. “Boom, boom, boom,” plenty of time for the mind
to form the requisite mens rea required in first degree.
The jury was not persuaded, and I understand why. That is a
legal axiom which may or may not be based upon good
judgment.
* * *
[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: But when Your Honor passes
sentence in a few moments, I’m asking Your Honor to take that
into account. The jury made it’s [sic] call. The jury. Twelve
12
good citizens looked at this and said maybe there’s something
else the police could’ve done that would’ve made this attempted
murder. Like if they had announced themselves. Whether you
hear police before anything happens.
But with the door crashing, and as I likened in the closing
argument, the last 30 seconds of the NCAA finals, and I don’t
know if Your Honor is a basketball fan, but when you’re so
totally involved in what you’re doing that what’s going on
around you is totally a blur.
And that Mr. Johnson at that point, was interested in saving or
defending his life, he’s shooting back and he’s not sure why.
And this is the argument I made to the jury as Your Honor
recalls. And at that point he doesn’t even realize. I’m sure he
didn’t understand it was the police until Mel Russell put the
badge underneath his nose and took the gun away from him,
when the gun was, at that point, inoperable.
Because of my client’s lack of familiarity with the gun and Mel
Russell explained to the Court on cross that he knows how to
clear a stove pipe, that kind of jam between the slide and the
barrel of a 9 millimeter Gloc[k] and my client didn’t, which
shows that my client’s no pro.
Okay. And these kinds of things I think Your Honor should take
into account. And because he’s only 21 - - if Your Honor gives
him the kind of time that I fear Your Honor is contemplating, 70
or 80 years or something like that, he’ll never get out of jail.
He’ll never have a chance. He’ll have nothing, no reason to
change, if change is the right word. No reason to grow which I
think is a better word. He’ll have no[ ] reason to become a
better person assuming one can become a better person in the
Division of Corrections.
Defense counsel continued advocating for the court’s mercy, noting that Johnson was
a “ninth grade dropout” and had “never known any other opportunity than dealing drugs and
making money from it.” Defense counsel continued:
13
[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: I don’t think Your Honor is permitted
to sentence him based on what could’ve happened, that
somebody could’ve been killed. I mean, one could easily say
that he had no more intent to kill than the cops.
They fired three times as many shots and didn’t hit anybody.
And I don’t think they would have at all hesitated to kill
somebody they thought was shooting at them.
The simple fact is, in this darkened apartment we’re lucky that
this is not a capital, that this is not another [death of a police
officer]. For that we all thank our lucky stars, not least of
which, Jarmal Johnson.
Defense counsel concluded with a final plea for “compassion” in sentencing,
suggesting that “all the narcotics offenses” and the handgun offenses run concurrently. But,
if the court were to impose sentences to run consecutively, “even if it’s 180 years,” defense
counsel urged the court to “suspend a major portion of that.”
After Johnson declined to speak on his own behalf, the court reviewed the pre-
sentence investigation report (“PSI”), which indicated that Johnson had been convicted of
two CDS offenses in New York. The court continued:
THE COURT: The Pre-Sentence Report indicates that they
[New York authorities] had, according to their parole and
probation risks assessments had determined that he poses a
significant threat to public safety.
* * *
Also describes him as a 20-year old native of New York.
The offense was - - it was clear to me with regard to the first
offense, the case in which police officers served a search and
seizure warrant. I agree that lighting was a problem. I also
14
agree that, from the evidence that there was announcement of
authority promptly. That if there was some, little or any doubt
initially, that that doubt should have been resolved quickly.
There were in excess of 50 some shots fired in that building.
I’m also mindful that this was a row home.
Row homes are unique to Baltimore City. Many of our counties
don’t even have row homes, of course they call them
townhouses and they’re six figures. But this was a row home.
And as such, was on one side through an airway, had windows.
There was a description of shots through those areas, shots in
fact all over and in all directions. This posed not only a
legitimate threat to the police officers and to the occupants of
that property, but also to adjacent property owners, adjacent
residents, yes, and people walking on the street.
Very dangerous multiple shots fired in quick succession, that’s
what the evidence showed. Multiple shots that were
continuously fired for a period of time. I mean, it was - - the
description was just horrible and we are lucky that this is not a
capital offense.
Defendant’s background shows a[n] utter disregard of anyone’s
rights. Of course, I am also mindful that it is considerably easier
for someone without any strong roots in the community to act in
a lawless fashion where he or she does not reside, where he or
she does not have any roots, where he or she does not have
strong family ties.
With respect to the second case [case no. 192092011] involving
the death of Mr. Hill, it just seems senseless. There was a man
who was working making a what apparently was meager living
at a snowball stand known as “The Snowball Man” who was
killed for no apparent reason. I mean, just killed like a dog in
the street. It’s horrible.
Therefore, with respect to having said that and having heard the
argument of both sides, reading the entire Pre-Sentence Report,
with respect to case 192099061, assault with intent to murder
15
Officer Melvin Russell, I sentence the Defendant to 30 years
Division of Corrections.
The court went on to sentence Johnson for the other offenses and, as noted, imposed
an aggregate total sentence of 160 years of imprisonment.
We turn now to the contentions on appeal. Johnson asserts, in essence, that his
sentences were the product of fraud, mistake, or irregularity because the sentencing court
impermissibly considered the subsequently vacated conviction for assault with intent to
murder when sentencing him on the remaining charges. He maintains that the sentencing
court should not have relied “upon a past criminal record” that was “untrue.” Consequently,
he believes he is entitled to “a new trial, a new sentencing hearing, a new plea agreement
offer, and a new modification of sentence hearing, where the illegal conviction for assault
with intent to murder would not be considered[.]”
The State correctly points out that Johnson’s conviction for assault with intent to
murder was not vacated by the Court of Appeals because it was “untrue,” but rather because
that offense was not specifically charged in the indictment and the indictment was never
amended to include it. See Johnson, supra, 427 Md. at 380. Moreover, the State asserts that,
in determining what sentences to impose, it is permissible for a sentencing court to “consider
the evidence it heard at trial,” including the testimony at Johnson’s trial that he had “fired at
16
a police officer during a drug raid.”5 Finally, the State notes that, under Rule 4-345(b), the
court has revisory power over a sentence in the case of fraud, mistake, or irregularity and,
consequently, “to the extent that Johnson also is arguing that his convictions . . . are infirm,
such a claim is not properly” before this Court.
We agree with the State. The Court of Appeals has stated on numerous occasions that
“‘a trial judge has very broad discretion in sentencing.’” Abdul-Maleek v. State, 426 Md. 59,
71 (2012) (quoting Jones v. State, 414 Md. 686, 693 (2010)) (further quotation omitted). In
fashioning a sentence, the Court of Appeals has said that the court should consider “the facts
and circumstances of the crime committed and the background of the defendant, including
his or her reputation, prior offenses, health, habits, mental and moral propensities, and social
background.’” Id. (quoting Jackson v. State, 364 Md. 192, 199 (2001)). In addition,
“sentencing judges in Maryland may consider the criminal conduct of a defendant even if
there has been no conviction[,]” Smith v. State, 308 Md. 162, 169 (1986), as well as
“uncharged or untried offenses.” Id. at 172.
5
After Johnson was sentenced, he appealed. In an unreported opinion, this Court
affirmed. Jarmal Johnson a/k/a German Johnson, Gary W. Matthews and Thomas
Williams v. State, No. 1730, September Term, 1992 (filed July 28, 1993). In our summary
of the facts, we noted the testimony of Officer Melvin Russell that Johnson had pointed a gun
toward the doorway where the officer was standing and had fired at least several rounds.
Slip op. at 2. It appears, from the limited record before us, that this evidence formed the
bases for the assault with intent to murder conviction. Johnson did not challenge the
conviction for assault with intent to murder in his direct appeal.
17
We are not persuaded that the sentences Johnson received were the result of any fraud,
mistake, or irregularity – nor the result of any improper consideration of the subsequently
vacated assault with intent to murder conviction. As the Court of Appeals observed in Henry
v. State, 273 Md. 131 (1974), when imposing sentence “the trial judge [is] not required to
remain oblivious to evidence” of the defendant’s involvement in crimes for which he was
acquitted. Id. at 150. Notably, the jury here convicted – not acquitted – Johnson of assault
with intent to murder. Johnson did not challenge that conviction in his direct appeal and it
was subsequently vacated, not because the evidence was insufficient to support the crime,
but because the State had never charged him with that particular offense.6
Moreover, in its comments before imposing sentence, the court noted that Johnson’s
firing of multiple shots when the police raided the apartment had posed a serious threat not
only to the police officers conducting the raid, but to adjacent neighbors and the public on
the street; that Johnson had senselessly murdered the operator of a snowball stand; and that
the PSI indicated that New York authorities had previously determined that Johnson “posed
a significant threat to public safety.”
6
The jury also convicted Johnson of common law assault. For sentencing purposes,
the court merged that conviction with the conviction for assault with intent to murder.
18
Accordingly, we hold that the circuit court did not err in denying Johnson’s Rule
4-345(b) motion to revise his sentences.
STATE’S MOTION TO DISMISS DENIED.
JUDGMENTS OF THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR
BALTIMORE CITY AFFIRMED. COSTS TO BE
PAID BY APPELLANT.
19