1. HaroldSowardsII
CJ 322, Tu/Th 9:30
9/27/15
State v. Chism
436 So. 2d 464 (La. 1983)
1. Facts
Aug.26,1981 inShreveportTonyDuke givesBrianChism(dressedasa girl) aride during
whichtheypickup Chism’suncle IraLloyd
At some pointduringthe ride,Duke expresseshissexualdesireforChismandIra
mentionswantingtodothe same thingwithhisex-wife Gloria
Arrive at midnightatSt.VincentAve.Churchof Christandhave Gloria come out
ChismandDuke get physical in the car while IratalkswithGloria
Ira and Gloriastart arguingwhichendsup inIra stabbingherinthe stomachseveral
timesandonce in the neck
Her shoutsattract neighborswhofail tostopIra from pushingGloriaintothe car
Ira forcesTony to drive themtoWillow PointandhasTonyand Brian remove Gloria
fromthe car and thendrive off
There wasno evidence of threatora protest
Brian changesat 1:15 am and givesa complete statementandthentakesthemtothe
place Gloriawas left
Bodyis found, autopsyindicatesstabwoundscausedherdeath
Brian’sclothesdisappearfromthe scene
Brian isconvictedbefore the 1st
Judicial DistrictCourt,CaddoParrishof beingan
accessoryafter-the-factandissentencedfor3 yrsin ParishPrisonwith2.5 suspended
Brian appeals
LouisianaSupreme Courtaffirmsthe conviction,butvacatesthe sentence andremands
for newsentence
2. Issue
Is there anyreasonable trierof factthat couldhave beenfoundbeyondareasonable doubtthat
ChismassistedLloydundercircumstancesthatindicatethatChismactivelydesiredthatLloyd
wouldavoidorescape arrestor punishment?
3. Holdings
Yes,affirmed/remanded
4. Reasoning
There isclear enoughevidence tojustifythe findingthata felonywascompletedbefore any
assistance wasrenderedtoLloydbythe defendant.The trierof factreasonablycouldhave
foundthat Chismactedwithat leastgeneral intenttohelpLloydavoidarrestbecause:no
2. protest,noattemptto persuade Duke tonot drive,compliedwithdirections,didn’timmediately
reportthe victim’swhereabouts,changedhisclotheswhichremovedthemasevidence,and
discussedthe issue firstwithhismomandnotthe police.He actedvoluntarilyandnotoutof
fearas there was nomentionof a threatinvolved.Rulingisaffirmed,however,the sentence
imposedbythe trial judge isillegal.He hasno authoritytosuspendapart of a sentence ina
felonycase.Thereforetheyvacatedthe sentence andmove foritto be remandedfor
resentencing.
