P. v. Paulson
Following a jury trial, defendant Mark Edward Paulson was found guilty of committing a theft after having been previously convicted of a theft-related crime (Pen. Code, 484, subd. (a)/666)[1](count 3).[2] In a bifurcated proceeding, defendant admitted that he had sustained five prior strike convictions ( 667, subds. (c) & (e), 1170.12, subd. (c)(2)(A)) and five prior prison terms ( 667.5, subd. (b)). As a result, defendant was sentenced to a total term of 30 years to life in state prison. On appeal, defendant contends (1) his sentence constitutes cruel and unusual punishment; (2) the trial court abused its discretion in denying his motion to strike his prior strike convictions; and (3) the manner in which the three strikes law was applied in his case violates the state and federal equal protection guarantees. Court reject these contentions and affirm the judgment.
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