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Marvin KNIGHT, Appellant, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee.
The appellant challenges an order denying his claim that he was illegally sentenced. We reverse.
Appellant contends that the three-year mandatory minimum sentences imposed upon him were illegal because the record demonstrates that his accomplice possessed the only firearm and the jury did not specifically find that he actually possessed a firearm during the commission of the offenses. Because unlike the defendant in Tucker v. State, 726 So.2d 768 (Fla.1999), appellant was not the only individual involved in the incidents out of which the criminal charges arose, the fact that the verdict forms state that the jury found him guilty of the offenses at issue “with the use of a firearm” does not necessarily indicate that it found that he actually possessed the firearm. As noted in Robinson v. State, 698 So.2d 908 (Fla. 1st DCA 1997), under these circumstances, “it is possible the jury found the defendant guilty of [the offense] with a firearm as a principal.”
The order denying the motion is REVERSED, and the case is REMANDED to the trial court with directions to vacate the minimum mandatory sentences.
PER CURIAM.
ERVIN, BARFIELD, and BENTON, JJ., CONCUR.
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Docket No: No. 1D00-5044.
Decided: November 30, 2001
Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida,First District.
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FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
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