STATE v. COOK (2006)

 Defendant was convicted of attempted murder, ORS 163.115;  three counts of assault in the first degree, ORS 163.185;  unlawful use of a weapon, ORS 166.220;  and three counts of felony assault in the fourth degree, ORS 163.160.   All of the convictions arose out of an incident in which defendant stabbed his wife in the presence of three of their minor children.   The three separate convictions for felony assault in the fourth degree were based on the theory that each of the three child witnesses was a separate “victim.”   The trial court ordered that the sentences on the charges of felony assault in the fourth degree be served consecutively to the sentences on the other charges.

On appeal, defendant advances two unpreserved assignments of error:  (1) the trial court erred in entering separate convictions for felony assault in the fourth degree based on the fact that the assault was witnessed by the three different children;  and (2) the trial court erred in ordering that the sentences for felony assault in the fourth degree be served consecutively to the sentence on the underlying crime of assault in the first degree.   We agree with defendant on the first contention and, because of that, need not address the second.

Defendant argues that, under State v. Glaspey, 337 Or. 558, 100 P.3d 730 (2004), a single assault results in one conviction regardless of the number of child witnesses, because such witnesses are not separate “victims” within the meaning of the statute that defines the offense.   The state concedes that, under Glaspey, defendant could be punished for only one count of felony fourth-degree assault and that, as a matter of law, the three convictions for that offense should merge.   We agree and accept the concession.

Because the trial court's error in failing to merge the relevant convictions requires us to remand the entire case for resentencing, see State v. Rodvelt, 187 Or.App. 128, 66 P.3d 577, rev. den., 336 Or. 17, 77 P.3d 320 (2003) (failure to merge convictions is an error requiring resentencing for purpose of ORS 138.222(5)), we need not reach defendant's unpreserved error pertaining to the imposition of consecutive sentences.

 Reversed and remanded for entry of judgment of conviction on single count of felony assault in the fourth degree;  sentences vacated;  remanded for resentencing;  otherwise affirmed.

PER CURIAM.